Warrican's four-for overshadowed as Hridoy turns Test on its head

West Indies left-arm spinner Jomel Warrican was left frustrated after the visitors surrendered control of the second Test, with Towhid Hridoy producing a remarkable unbeaten 242 to turn Bangladesh's precarious position into a 30-run first-innings advantage on Saturday’s day three.

Despite finishing as the most successful West Indies bowler with four wickets, Warrican acknowledged that the visitors had failed to capitalize on a position of strength, allowing the hosts to recover from 124 for four and reach 386.

"Obviously, we are disappointed. We were in the ascendancy and things were going our way, but Hridoy batted well," Warrican said after play.

"We've got to reflect on things that we could have done better. As a unit, we've still got to keep our heads up, but there's a job to be done. We've got to come and bat well tomorrow."

Hridoy turns the tide

Bangladesh resumed the day on 88 for three, still trailing West Indies' first-innings total of 356, and appeared to be losing their grip on the contest when captain Najmul Hossain Shanto departed for 18.

At 124 for four, the home side remained under considerable pressure, but Hridoy produced an extraordinary exhibition of batting endurance and composure to dismantle the visitors' advantage.

The right-hander anchored the recovery with an unbeaten 242, receiving important support from experienced campaigner Mushfiqur Rahim, who contributed 34 in a fifth-wicket partnership that helped stabilize the innings.

Hridoy subsequently assumed responsibility for guiding the lower order, ensuring Bangladesh continued to accumulate runs until the final wicket fell at 386.

The 30-run lead represented a significant reversal of fortunes for the home side, particularly after West Indies had controlled much of the contest.

Warrican calls for honest assessment

Warrican, whose impressive figures of four for 104 came from 41 overs, said the visitors would need to examine their performance carefully rather than rush to identify a single explanation for the collapse in their bowling dominance.

The spinner removed Mushfiqur, Litton Das, Hasan Mahmud and Taijul Islam, but his efforts were ultimately overshadowed by Hridoy's monumental innings.

"As a team, we discuss what we could have done better. It's best you go overnight, think, improve what you could reflect on or make better decisions," he said.

"It's something that we can't pinpoint at the moment. As a team, we're going to reflect tomorrow and discuss it. Even me as a player, I'll go home tonight and reflect on things that I could have done better or what we could have done better as a team."

Jayden Seales provided two wickets, while Shamar Joseph, Justin Greaves and captain Roston Chase claimed one each as West Indies eventually dismissed the hosts.

Hridoy earns Warrican's admiration

Although disappointed with the outcome, Warrican was quick to acknowledge the quality of Hridoy's performance, insisting that the Bangladesh batter deserved full recognition for the manner in which he rescued his team.

The spinner dismissed any suggestion that the hosts' approach had been particularly surprising, instead pointing to the exceptional execution of Hridoy's innings.

"I just think he batted extremely well. I've got to give him his credit. He played a beautiful innings. He put Bangladesh in a good position," Warrican said.

He admitted that the West Indies players had been contemplating the possibility of building a substantial first-innings advantage before Hridoy changed the entire complexion of the match.

"It surprised everyone. We as a team were in the ascendancy and we were thinking about what lead we could have gotten or how big the lead could have been. But the way he batted was special and I'm going to give him credit."

West Indies face crucial fourth-day response

West Indies managed to avoid further damage before stumps, negotiating four overs to reach seven without loss in their second innings.

Brandon King was unbeaten on five, with Joshua Da Silva on two, as the visitors closed the day still 23 runs behind Bangladesh but with all 10 wickets intact.

That position leaves the contest delicately balanced heading into the fourth morning, although the momentum has shifted considerably following Hridoy's remarkable resistance.

West Indies must now produce a substantial batting response to establish a challenging target and restore their grip on the match.

For Warrican and his teammates, the priority is clear: learn from the missed opportunity, regroup and ensure that another promising position does not slip away.