JOHN’S, Antigua— The penultimate day of the first Test between the West Indies and Bangladesh unfolded in spectacular fashion, leaving cricket fans on the edge of their seats as 17 wickets fell in a gripping contest at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium.
Veteran pacer Kemar Roach and his dynamic understudy, Jayden Seales, each claimed three wickets to leave the West Indies tantalizingly close to victory, despite a spirited fightback from Bangladesh’s bowlers.
The hosts, defending a target of 334, had the visitors reeling at 109 for seven when bad light intervened to halt play prematurely. Roach’s incisive opening burst and Seales’ relentless accuracy ensured that the West Indies held the upper hand as they look to wrap up the match on the final day.
Bangladesh stagger under Roach and Seales’ attack
Roach, demonstrating his mastery in the twilight of his career, delivered an electrifying start. The 36-year-old shattered Zakir Hasan’s stumps with just the fifth ball of the innings, setting the tone for the West Indies’ dominance. Seales then piled on the pressure, forcing Mahmudul Hasan Joy to edge a wide delivery into Justin Greaves’ safe hands at third slip, leaving Bangladesh tottering at 7 for 2.
Roach struck again in dramatic fashion, this time on review, when Shahadat Hossain was caught behind off a glancing glove. The visitors slid further into disarray at 20 for 3.
Shamar Joseph, brimming with pace and purpose, was unlucky not to dismiss Mominul Haque twice in a single over, as both wicketkeeper Joshua DaSilva and Mikyle Louis put down chances. However, Roach ensured those lapses didn’t cost the team, executing a breathtaking return catch to dismiss Haque for 11.
As wickets tumbled, Bangladesh captain Mehidy Hasan Miraz and Litton Das attempted to stabilize the innings with a 36-run partnership. Their efforts were undone when Das mistimed a pull off Joseph, sending the ball into the waiting hands of Alzarri Joseph at deep backward square.
Miraz continued to battle, compiling an impressive 45 off 46 balls. But Seales, unrelenting in his pursuit, lured Miraz into a fatal mistake, as DaSilva leaped to claim a diving catch. Seales then bowled Taijul Islam for 4, reducing Bangladesh to 109 for 7 before poor light brought the dramatic day to a close.
Roach and Seales deliver stellar figures
Roach finished the day with remarkable figures of 3 for 20, while Seales claimed 3 for 31, their partnership embodying the perfect blend of experience and youthful vigor.
Earlier in the day, Bangladesh’s Taskin Ahmed delivered a mesmerizing spell of fast bowling, claiming career-best figures of 6 for 64. The 28-year-old spearheaded a stunning fightback, dismantling the West Indies batting line-up for a paltry 152 in their second innings.
Ahmed’s fiery spell began with the dismissals of Mikyle Louis and Keacy Carty, both caught behind. Shoriful Islam added to the hosts’ woes, removing captain Kraigg Brathwaite for 23. Ahmed then swept through the middle and lower order, dismissing Kavem Hodge, first-innings hero Justin Greaves, Shamar Joseph, and Kemar Roach, leaving the match poised on a knife’s edge.
With Bangladesh’s hopes now hanging by a thread, the West Indies are on the cusp of a thrilling victory. The stage is set for a dramatic conclusion as Roach and Seales aim to finish the job and secure a memorable win for the Caribbean side.
