Windies fight but Tigers remain ahead

Bangladesh, despite losing three early wickets in the second innings, are comfortably in command at stumps on day three of the first of the two-match Test series between them and the West Indies. Bangladesh finished the day with 47 for three, leading by 218 runs.

The West Indies lost their third wicket before they had added anything to their overnight total of 75 for two. Kyle Mayers, the West Indies number five, came out with a positive frame of mind and added 55 with his skipper Kraigg Brathwaite in quick time.

Brathwaite was cleaned up by off-spinner Nayeem Hasan as the ball pitched way outside off and turned prodigiously to hit the stumps. He made 76 off 111 deliveries with the help of 12 fours.

Mayers' handy knock of 40 came to an end as Mehidy Hasan Miraz trapped him leg-before, with the score being 154 for five. 

Jermaine Blackwood, West Indies' one of the more experienced middle-order batsmen, found an ally in Joshua Da Silva. They put on 99 runs for the 6th wicket. It was a quiet phase for Bangladesh bowlers as they toiled for more than 40 overs without getting a wicket. 

Bangladesh skipper Mominul Haque brought Nayeem Hasan back into the attack at the cusp of tea. This move immediately paid dividends at he dismissed Joshua Da Silva for a dogged 42. It opened the floodgates and Blackwood also got out in the very next over bowled by Miraz. The right-hander scored a well-made 68. 

Miraz and Taijul Islam did not take much time to cut the tail and the West Indies, from 253 for five, were all-out for 259. 

Miraz, after getting a brilliant hundred, was outstanding with the ball too. The all-rounder picked up four for 58. Mustafizur Rahman, Nayeem Hasan and Taijul Islam also got two apiece. 

After the West Indies collapse, Bangladesh too lost Tamim Iqbal and Najmul Hossain Shanto inside two overs. Shadman Islam and skipper Mominul Haque negotiated the West Indies bowlers safely for 12.1 overs before the former got out. Shannon Gabriel got the ball to jump off a short length and Shadman fended at it to Da Silva down the leg side. 

After that, Mushfiqur Rahim (10*) and Mominul (31*) ensured that no further damage was done. Bangladesh, at the end of day three, were ahead by 218 runs with seven wickets in hand. Effectively, they were four down as it is highly unlikely that the injured Shakib Al Hasan will bat. West Indies will certainly have a herculean task ahead of them in the fourth innings. 

Brief score

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 - 259 (Kraigg Brathwaite 76, Jermaine Blackwood 68, Joshua Da Silva 42, Mehidy Hasan Miraz 4/58, Mustafizur Rahman 2/46, Nayeem Hasan 2/54)

Bangladesh 2nd innings - 47/3 (Mominul Haque 31*, Mushfiqur Rahim 10*, Rahkeem Cornwall 2/28, Shannon Gabriel 1/13)
Stumps, Day 3: Bangladesh lead by 218 runs.