Uphill battle for West Indies on disjointed opening day

Bangladesh opener Shadman Islam batted through the day to frustrate West Indies, as only 74 overs were possible on day one of the two-Test series in Mirpur.

He will resume on day two on 99, having led the home side to 213 for three during a gritty opening day that was interrupted twice by bad light. His innings has so far come from 219 balls and included 10 fours.

Fifty minutes were initially lost during the final session before play resumed briefly, only to be called off at 4.22 p.m. local time.

West Indies handed a Test debut to Joshua Bishop when play began, with the hosts winning the toss and electing to bat.

Joshua Bishop made his test debut (Photo by: BCB)

Bangladesh slipped to 68 for two in the 22nd over after Jayden Seales had opener Tanzid Hasan caught by Justin Greaves for seven, while vice-captain Jomel Warrican had Mominul Haque caught by Shamar Joseph for 28 after he played a loose shot.

Islam was then joined at the crease by captain Najmul Hossain Shanto, with the pair advancing the score to 96 for two at lunch.

Warrican trapped Shanto lbw after the break for 19, with Bangladesh on 110 for three at a key stage of the match.

Islam, however, found an able partner in Towhid Hridoy, who stroked 42 off 84 balls before being stretchered off the field after retiring hurt with cramp in the 66th over.

Litton Das then moved to 10 not out alongside Islam as Bangladesh enjoyed the early honours at stumps.

Warrican has so far taken two for 33 and Seales one for 14, while debutant Bishop, who got the nod ahead of veteran pacer Kemar Roach, has taken none for 50 off 19 probing overs.

Speaking after the match, Warrican said West Indies bowled well but had hoped for more wickets on the opening day.

West Indies celebrate a wicket on the opening day. (Photo by: BCB)

“I felt that Jayden [Seales] and Shamar [Joseph] gave us a good foundation and then Joshua, Roston and I tried to control the scoring.

“I understand my role. I’m the person to keep things tight and, if we can pick up one or two wickets in doing that, it’s very important, which I did. Early on, there was a lot more moisture and, unfortunately, we didn’t get the wickets that we wanted, but at the end of the day, it’s part of cricket,” Warrican explained.

“Not every time are things in your favour [or] are you going to dominate, so at the end of the day, we made sure that we stayed disciplined and picked up key wickets going forward. Obviously, I think the conditions will help both teams in the second innings [and] the wicket will turn.

“Ideally, we wanted one more wicket, but the way we controlled the game, the game never got away from us.”

Warrican described West Indies as a very consistent bowling group, noting that even when they are not taking wickets, they try to remain as disciplined as possible.

(KH)