Miraz’s maiden ton puts Tigers on top
The all-rounder became only the fifth Bangladeshi cricketer with a century and a five-wicket haul in Test career.
Bangladesh have their noses ahead at stumps on day two of the first of the two-match Test match between the hosts and the West Indies at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium. The visitors ended the day on 75 for two after Bangladesh had posted a huge total of 430.
Bangladesh lost Liton Das in only the third over of the day. The wicketkeeper batsman could only add four runs to his overnight total and was cleaned up by left-arm spinner Jomel Warrican for 38.
Bangladesh were in a little bit of trouble at 248 for six when Mehidy Hasan Miraz joined Shakib Al Hasan in the crease. The duo added 67 for the seventh wicket before Shakib was dismissed by Rahkeem Cornwall. The southpaw, in his comeback Test match, scored a fine 68 off 150 deliveries. His patient knock was studded with five boundaries.
Mehidy Hasan Miraz batted superbly and he was provided great support by the tailenders in the form of Taijul Islam, Nayeem Hasan and Mustafizur Rahman. Taijul negotiated 72 deliveries while Nayeem played 46. Miraz stitched couple of very useful partnerships with them- 44 for the eighth wicket and 57 for the ninth.
Miraz eventually reached his maiden Test hundred with only one wicket in hand. This was his maiden hundred in any form of international cricket and happened to be his first first-class century as well. The all-rounder became only the fifth Bangladeshi cricketer with a century and a five-wicket haul in Test career. He struck 13 boundaries in his 168-ball-103. Miraz got out as the last batsman and Bangladesh racked up a big total of 430.
There were handy contributions from almost all the Bangladesh batsmen as seven of the top eight batsmen scored at least 25 runs and seven of the ten partnerships crossed 40.
Jomel Warrican was the pick of the bowlers for the West Indies. He picked up four wickets. Off-spinner Rahkeem Cornwall took two while Kemar Roach, Shannon Gabriel and Nkrumah Bonner got one apiece.
In reply, the West Indies did not get off to the best of starts. In the fourth over, Mustafizur Rahman struck the pads of John Campbell who was initially given not out. The decision went in favour of Bangladesh after they sent it upstairs. Shayne Moseley, the West Indies number three, also fell victim to the left-arm quick who was in terrific rhythm.
Nkrumah Bonner survived few leg-before calls and remained unbeaten on 17 with his skipper Kraigg Brathwaite who held fort with 49 not out. The West Indies were 355 runs behind at stumps on day two and they have a monumental task ahead.
Brief scores: Stumps, day 2
Bangladesh 1st innings - 430 (Mehidy Hasan Miraz 103, Shakib Al Hasan 68, Shadman Islam 59, Jomel Warrican 4/133, Rahkeem Cornwall 2/114, Nkrumah Bonner 1/16)
West Indies 1st innings - 75/2 (Kraigg Brathwaite 49*, Nkrumah Bonner 17*, Mustafizur Rahman 2/18)
