Windies let Bangladesh off hook as Mushfiqur, Mahmudullah shine

Kingstown (St. Vincent), Sep 9 (IANS/CMC) Half-centuries from skipper Mushfiqur Rahim and all-rounder Mahmudullah, coupled with a healthy dose of mediocrity from the West Indies, gave Bangladesh a ray of hope on the penultimate day of the opening cricket Test here.

Facing a comprehensive defeat after stumbling to 110 for four at lunch, Mushfiqur stroked an unbeaten 70 while Mahmudullah gathered a courageous 66, as Bangladesh fought back gallantly to finish the day at Arnos Vale on 256 for five Monday, reports CMC.

The pair added a precious 130 for the fifth wicket, a stand that was as much a result of the batsmen’s resilience as it was the Windies ineptitude.

And while the hosts remained on course for victory with the visitors still needing another 46 runs to avoid an innings defeat, their mis-steps allowed Bangladesh to take the game into the final day.

Left-handed opener Tamim Iqbal chipped in with an attacking 53 while Imrul Kayes hit 25, but seamer Kemar Roach (2-39) and left-arm spinner (2-44) struck at key moments to keep the innings unstable.

Bowled out on the stroke of close Sunday, Bangladesh found themselves at the crease again after the West Indies enforced the follow on, and once again their start proved miserable.

Shamsur Rahman lasted all of eight deliveries before edging Roach behind for four in the fourth over of the day, for wicketkeeper Denesh Ramdin to take a smart catch moving to his right.

Tottering at 11 for one, Bangladesh had the damage repaired by Tamim and Imrul Kayes, who hit 25, in a 70-run, second wicket stand. Tamim hammered four fours and three sixes off 107 balls while Imrul provided the perfect foil, batting an hour-and-a-half, facing 72 balls and cracking four fours.

With lunch approaching, Benn struck two key blows, having Mominul Haque caught at the wicket for 12 with the score on 104 and then bowling Tamim with three runs added, as the batsman missed an attacking back foot stroke.

The West Indies were then held up after lunch as Mushfiqur and Mahmudullah resisted stoutly and batted through the session, courtesy of poor work in the field.

Bangladesh rallied to 184 for four at tea and afterward, both Mahmudullah and Mushfiqur completed well deserved half-centuries -- both reaching their landmark with boundaries within an over of each other.

Mahmudullah was too a recipient of the Windies’ sloppiness when on 53, he skied a simple catch to cover off Gayle only for Edwards to unbelievably muff the opportunity.

Mahmudullah, though, survived just 22 more deliveries before Roach removed him with the second new ball, with the Windies running out of ideas.

--IANS/CMC