Islam inches from century as Bangladesh seize first-day edge over West Indies
Key Points(5)
- Shadman Islam stood one run away from a memorable Test century when fading light brought an early end to the opening day of the first Test on Wednesday, leaving Bangladesh at 213 for three and holding a slight advantage over the visiting West Indies.
- The left-handed opener remained unbeaten on 99 after facing 219 deliveries and hitting 10 boundaries, anchoring Bangladesh’s innings through three important partnerships at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium.
- Islam had reached 96 before adding only three runs across four overs as he edged toward three figures.
- With the landmark just one run away, the umpires ruled that conditions had deteriorated too much for play to continue, despite West Indies captain Roston Chase seeking to bring a fast bowler back into the attack.
- The players did not return, leaving Islam stranded agonizingly short of his 10th Test century.
Shadman Islam stood one run away from a memorable Test century when fading light brought an early end to the opening day of the first Test on Wednesday, leaving Bangladesh at 213 for three and holding a slight advantage over the visiting West Indies.
The left-handed opener remained unbeaten on 99 after facing 219 deliveries and hitting 10 boundaries, anchoring Bangladesh’s innings through three important partnerships at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium.
Islam had reached 96 before adding only three runs across four overs as he edged toward three figures. With the landmark just one run away, the umpires ruled that conditions had deteriorated too much for play to continue, despite West Indies captain Roston Chase seeking to bring a fast bowler back into the attack.
The players did not return, leaving Islam stranded agonizingly short of his 10th Test century.
Seales strikes early, but Bangladesh recover
After winning the toss and electing to bat, Bangladesh lost Tanzid Hasan early when Jayden Seales induced an edge from a length delivery outside off stump. Justin Greaves took the catch at second slip with the score at nine.
Shamar Joseph also tested the home batters with lively seam movement and deliveries consistently exceeding 140 kilometers per hour. However, Bangladesh steadied their innings through Islam and Mominul Haque, who added 59 for the second wicket.
Haque looked comfortable during his 28 off 51 balls before attempting to advance against left-arm spinner Jomel Warrican. He struck the ball toward mid-off, where Joseph took the catch to end the partnership.
Islam and captain Najmul Hossain Shanto then guided Bangladesh to lunch at 90 for two, with the opener on 42.
Warrican makes inroads, but Islam responds
Islam reached his half-century from 95 balls, pulling a short delivery from Seales to deep square leg for a single. The milestone was his fourth Test half-century against the West Indies.
The visitors struck again when Warrican trapped Shanto lbw for 19. The on-field umpire initially rejected the appeal, but a review confirmed that the ball was hitting middle stump, reducing Bangladesh to 110 for three.
Warrican finished the day as the most successful West Indies bowler, taking two wickets for 33 runs from 14 overs.
Yet the tourists could not capitalize on Shanto’s dismissal. Islam and Towhid Hridoy combined for an unbroken 88-run, fourth-wicket stand that pushed Bangladesh toward a position of strength.
Hridoy retires hurt as bad light intervenes
Hridoy attacked anything short or wide during his 84-ball innings, scoring 42 despite struggling with cramps in the heat. His discomfort eventually forced him to retire hurt in the 66th over, with Bangladesh at 198 for three.
Bad light had already interrupted the afternoon session for 50 minutes after tea, and conditions deteriorated again as Islam approached his century.
Litton Das was unbeaten on 10 alongside Islam when play was abandoned, leaving Bangladesh at 213 for three after a day in which the West Indies made early breakthroughs but struggled to contain the opener’s determined resistance.
