Bangladesh Fight Back as West Indies Reach 134 for 4 in Rain-Hit Mirpur Test
Bangladesh recovered some momentum late on the second day of the Mirpur Test after a dramatic batting collapse threatened to hand West Indies control. The hosts were bowled out for 272, losing seven wickets for just 59 runs, before the visitors reached 134 for 4 at stumps. Rain and poor light interrupted play, leaving West Indies 138 runs behind and the match finely poised.
Jomel Warrican led the West Indies response with a five-wicket haul, exploiting Bangladesh’s fragile lower order after the home side had resumed in a strong position. But late strikes from Taijul Islam shifted the pressure back onto the visitors, while Tagenarine Chanderpaul and Justin Greaves steadied the innings before play ended at around 4:35 pm local time.
Warrican Triggers Bangladesh’s Morning Collapse
Bangladesh began the day at 213 for 3, with a substantial first-innings total appearing within reach. Shadman Islam was nearing a personal milestone, and the hosts had the platform to build a commanding score. Instead, their innings unravelled in the morning session, with the final five wickets falling for only 19 runs.
Shadman completed his third Test century, reaching 105, but could not convert the achievement into a longer stay at the crease. Bishop ended his innings soon after the landmark, giving West Indies an important breakthrough and opening the door for a rapid collapse.
Towhid Hridoy, who had retired hurt on the opening day, returned to bat but lasted only two deliveries. He misjudged a shot against Bishop and was bowled, leaving Bangladesh’s middle and lower order under immediate pressure. Warrican then beat Mehidy Hasan Miraz’s attempted defence with a turning delivery that broke through his stumps.
Shamar Joseph added to the damage by dismissing Nayeem Hasan and Mahmudul Hasan in quick succession. Warrican finished the innings in emphatic fashion, removing Taijul Islam and Shoriful Islam with consecutive deliveries to complete figures of 5 for 53. Bishop claimed two wickets, meaning the pair accounted for seven of Bangladesh’s dismissals.
The collapse was a major turning point in the day’s cricket. Bangladesh had looked well placed overnight, but their inability to protect the tail left them with a total that offered West Indies a chance to take control. Warrican’s spell was particularly effective because it combined accuracy with the ability to make the ball turn sharply on a surface offering assistance to spin.
Campbell Makes the Most of Early Reprieves
West Indies began their reply positively, finding early boundaries and putting Bangladesh under pressure. John Campbell, however, was fortunate to survive two chances. Nayeem Hasan dropped him at point when he had made just five, and Shoriful Islam later missed a return catch with Campbell on 22.
Those missed opportunities proved costly as Campbell continued to attack. He looked to drive whenever Bangladesh offered width and was willing to take on the spinners. Tagenarine Chanderpaul supported him from the other end, striking two early boundaries as the pair began to rebuild after Brandon King’s dismissal.
Bangladesh eventually made the first breakthrough through Hasan Mahmud. His delivery moved away from King, and substitute wicketkeeper Jaker Ali completed the catch to give the hosts a lift after Campbell’s reprieves. Campbell remained undeterred, though, and pushed the scoring along with confident strokeplay.
One of the innings’ most assertive moments came when Campbell struck Mehidy Hasan Miraz for a six and then a four in successive deliveries. The sequence briefly put the Bangladesh attack on the defensive and helped West Indies build a useful second-wicket stand. Bad light interrupted the session soon afterwards, with rain further disrupting the day’s schedule.
Shanto’s Catch and Taijul’s Double Strike Shift the Momentum
When play resumed in the final session, Campbell and Chanderpaul had added 61 runs for the second wicket. Their partnership was helping West Indies settle after the loss of King, but Mehidy found a way through. Campbell edged a delivery, and Najmul Hossain Shanto produced an outstanding catch at slip, diving sharply to his left to remove the set opener for 54.
Taijul then delivered the most damaging passage of Bangladesh’s bowling effort, taking two wickets in the same over. Kavem Hodge attempted to defend but was caught by Mominul Haque at silly mid-off after a sharp piece of close-in fielding. Amir Jangoo tried to counterattack, only to pick out Tanzid Hasan at deep square-leg.
Those dismissals transformed the position of the innings. West Indies had moved to 90 for 1, but the double strike left them at 97 for 4. Bangladesh had not been able to prevent Campbell from scoring freely, yet the late wickets ensured the visitors could not turn their promising start into a commanding advantage.
Chanderpaul and Greaves Hold Firm Before Stumps
Chanderpaul and Justin Greaves then focused on survival, negotiating the remaining overs without another wicket falling. Chanderpaul remained unbeaten on 43 from 96 deliveries, including six fours, while Greaves was 15 not out from 22 balls. Their unbroken fifth-wicket partnership was worth 31 runs and gave West Indies a measure of stability after the middle-order setbacks.
With conditions deteriorating and the light fading, the umpires called off play. West Indies closed the day at 134 for 4, still 138 runs behind Bangladesh’s first-innings total. The visitors have wickets in hand, but Bangladesh will take confidence from Taijul’s late intervention and the way their bowlers responded after a difficult morning.
What the Day Means for the Test
The second day has left both teams with reasons for optimism and concern. Bangladesh’s top order provided a strong foundation, but the collapse exposed the importance of batting through the lower order in Test cricket. West Indies, meanwhile, will be encouraged by Warrican’s five-wicket haul and Campbell’s attacking 54, although their middle order must now rebuild against a spin attack that has shown it can strike in clusters.
For supporters following the match and considering a cricket prediction for the next day, the key factors will be West Indies’ ability to reduce the deficit and Bangladesh’s use of spin as the pitch develops. Chanderpaul’s presence at the crease gives the visitors a valuable foothold, but the contest remains open: another early wicket could put Bangladesh firmly back in control, while a substantial partnership would change the balance quickly.
Brief scores: Bangladesh 272 (Shadman Islam 105; Jomel Warrican 5-53). West Indies 134 for 4 (John Campbell 54; Tagenarine Chanderpaul 43 not out; Taijul Islam 2-44), trailing by 138 runs.
