Bangladesh Face a 350-Run Test Chase as Hridoy Backs His Team’s Chances
Bangladesh batter Towhid Hridoy believes the hosts can chase a target of around 350 on the final day of the second Test against West Indies—but only if they make a confident start. The match remains finely poised after West Indies reached 345 for 3 in their second innings at the close of Day 4 in Sylhet, building a lead of 315 runs.
Kavem Hodge was unbeaten on 140, while Amir Jangoo had made 20. West Indies still had the opportunity to add to their advantage before declaring, leaving Bangladesh uncertain about the exact target they would face. For Hridoy, the condition of the pitch offers reason for optimism, but he stressed that the opening period of the chase will be crucial.
“The wicket is still good. If we can start well first, then I think it’s possible to chase,” Hridoy said. “But it’s still not possible to say what will happen tomorrow. We’ll have to see how many runs they target, then plan accordingly.”
Hridoy says the first session could shape the final day
Hridoy’s prediction is based on the pitch continuing to favour batters, even as the Test enters its fifth day. He acknowledged that conditions may change and that Bangladesh’s approach will depend on the target set by West Indies. Still, he sees a total of approximately 350 as achievable if the home side can avoid early setbacks.
“As I said repeatedly, the start is very important. If we can start well, 350, I think, is chaseable,” he said.
For Bangladesh, that means balancing urgency with discipline. A successful chase would require the top order to settle quickly, preserve wickets and make the most of the batting-friendly conditions. If West Indies strike early, however, the pressure could shift sharply onto the middle order. The final day is therefore likely to test not only Bangladesh’s batting ability, but also its decision-making and composure.
Hridoy is well placed to understand what the surface can offer. He has been Bangladesh’s leading run-scorer in the match after producing an unbeaten 242 in the first innings. His marathon knock helped the hosts recover from a difficult position and take a first-innings lead, giving the team a platform to remain competitive in the Test.
A record innings after scrutiny in Dhaka
The double century was also a strong response to questions about Hridoy’s place in the Test side. His shot selection during the opening Test in Dhaka drew criticism after he was dismissed in ways that prompted debate about his suitability for the longer format. Rather than allowing those comments to weigh on him, he says he treats criticism as a normal part of professional sport—and as something that can be useful when considered constructively.
“Criticism, that will always be there. In your profession or any profession, there will be criticism,” Hridoy said. “The day we do well, you speak positively. The day we do badly, you will say it. That’s very normal. There is a lot to learn from criticism if I think about it in the right way.”
His response in Sylhet was built around patience and a clear focus on the team’s needs. Hridoy said he was not thinking about records while batting, including the possibility of moving past Mushfiqur Rahim to become Bangladesh’s highest individual scorer in Test cricket. Instead, he concentrated on helping his side reach a stronger position.
“I didn’t actually think about who I was surpassing or what would happen. I tried to fight as much as possible for the team to take them to a good position,” he said. Hridoy added that Mushfiqur was pleased for him and has consistently supported teammates when they perform, whether they are batters or bowlers.
Although the innings has given Hridoy a major confidence boost, he stopped short of naming it the most special performance of his career. He said it would provide a “good feeling and confidence for the future,” while leaving the question of his favourite innings open.
Tailenders help Bangladesh build a valuable first-innings total
Hridoy’s 242 was not a solo effort. He shared an important 117-run eighth-wicket partnership with Taijul Islam, who scored 22, before adding another 85 with Taskin Ahmed, who made 12. Those stands extended Bangladesh’s innings and demonstrated the value of lower-order resistance in a Test match.
Hridoy said he tried to guide his partners with simple plans and communication, but credited Taijul and Taskin for handling the pressure themselves. Their contributions helped Bangladesh recover and gave the team a first-innings advantage that kept the contest alive.
“As a set batsman, I always tried to get as much as possible from them, whether with a couple of words or a couple of plans,” he said. “The way they handled the pressure was a tremendous effort from both of them.”
Such partnerships can prove decisive in cricket, particularly when a side is trying to turn a vulnerable position into a competitive total. Hridoy’s innings provided the backbone, while the lower order added the runs that made the first-innings lead possible.
Hodge credits West Indies’ growing belief
West Indies, meanwhile, have drawn confidence from a productive year in red-ball cricket. Hodge said the team’s batting group has developed a stronger collective mindset, pointing to the regular contributions of players capable of scoring hundreds and double-centuries. The side has recorded 13 centuries in the longer format during the calendar year, a return that has helped reinforce belief throughout the lineup.
According to Hodge, that confidence is supported by shared information, strong camaraderie and a willingness to play with positive intent rather than simply focusing on survival. He said the players have grown together despite coming from different countries, using conversations within the group to build a common approach.
Hodge was also pleased to contribute after making a start in the first Test in Dhaka without turning it into a substantial score. His unbeaten 140 in Sylhet came in a match situation he described as evenly poised, and he will hope to continue influencing the contest on the final day.
The West Indies batter also praised debutant Kevin Wickham, who scored half-centuries in both innings. Hodge called Wickham’s dismissal unfortunate and said his performances in the match showed the quality he can bring to Test cricket.
With West Indies holding a substantial lead and Bangladesh believing the pitch remains favourable, the final day promises a compelling contest. Any cricket prediction about the result will depend heavily on the declaration, the final target and Bangladesh’s start. Hridoy’s confidence offers the hosts hope, but the challenge is clear: turn a promising batting surface into a sustained chase under the pressure of a decisive Test finish.
