The return of Test cricket for Bangladesh after the enforced Covid-19 pandemic break of almost a year was not that of complete satisfaction as they failed to take control over the visiting West Indies on the opening day of their first Test of the two-match series.
Bangladesh captain Mominul Haque won the toss and decided to bat first on a wicket that looked flat and docile before the hosts ended the day on 242/5.
The score suggests the honors was perhaps shared but Bangladesh would definitely rue losing most of their wickets due to some sluggishness.
Apart from Tamim Iqbal every other batsman reached at least 25 but only Shadman Islam could get past 50, while Shakib al Hasan and Liton Das were not out on 39 and 34 respectively overnight.
Shakib, who marked his return to Tests after serving his one-year ban imposed by ICC for failing to report corrupt approaches from bookies, looked solid on the crease and will look forward to take the score past 350 that should give his side control over the game.
However, Bangladesh could have done a lot better.
The very first two balls of the day set the tone and seemed the not so cold morning without much dew in Chittagong would show the day.
Opener Shadman dispatched the very first delivery of Kemar Roach for four through a cover drive and the West Indies skipper Kraigg Brathwaite reacted most negatively as he straight away removed the third slip to cover region.
Shadman Islam en route to his second Test fifty AFP
Roach and his new ball partner Shannon Gabriel, two most experienced bowlers in the side, failed to exert pressure on the opponents but the former came up with a breakthrough when one of his in-swinger went through the gate of Tamim’s bat and pad to disturb the timbers.
After the departure of Tamim, who scored just nine leaving the side on 23, two young batsmen Shadman and Nazmul Hossain Shanto seemed to bat with ease until the latter was dismissed by a disastrous misunderstanding.
Shadman stroked the first ball of the 23rd over, bowled by debutant medium pacer Kyle Mayers, behind square of the on-side where Roach was alert to pick up the ball and throw to wicket-keeper Joshua da Silva.
Shadman was keen to finish his second and reached the keeper’s end but to his frustration he saw his partner was frozen in the same crease ball watching.
The bemused Shanto, who looked set with 25 from 58 with three boundaries, started running but could only reach the halfway stage of the bowler’s crease before Mayers broke the stumps picking up Silva’s throw.
Bangladesh were reduced to 66/2.
Skipper Mominul joined Shadman but did not look comfortable against the short-pitched deliveries of Gabriel and spin bowling of Jomel Warrican and Rahkeem Cornwall.
However, the duo added 50 and Shadman reached his half century.
Mushfiq made 38 before being dismissed in a casual manner AFP
Left-arm spinner Warrican got his reward of bowling tight when Mominul, who was earlier dropped off Cornwall, played a lofted shot on a tossed up delivery to the safe hands of John Campbell at mid-wicket.
But a total lack of judgment for the hosts took place in the second ball of the 57th over.
Shadman, who was batting with ease on 59, was adjudged leg before but he and his partner Mushfiqur Rahim decided not to use review despite having three remaining and the replay showed the ball was missing the leg-stump comfortably.
Shadman said he was disappointed when he saw the replay in the dressing-room but also thinks it is part of the game.
Shadman also believes Bangladesh lost more wickets than they had wished but also hoped two not-out batsmen Shakib and Liton will progress the innings a lot further as they seemed well set.
“The wicket was easy to bat on but we lost more wickets than our liking. I hope Shakib and Liton will continue their good work,” said the 25-year old Shadman after the end of day’s play.
Mushfiq, who scored 38 from 69 balls, was dismissed in a casual manner when he edged a rather innocuous looking straight one of Warrican for a low catch of Cornwell at first slip.
Bangladesh were 193/5 and in danger of losing the way but Shakib and Liton, who looked to bat positively, saw off the day.
Warrican was the pick of the bowlers for the visitors returning with three wickets conceding 58 runs.
1ST TEST, DAY 1
BANGLADESH INNINGS R B
Shadman lbw b Warrican 59 154
Tamim b Roach 9 15
Shanto run out (Mayers) 25 58
Mominul c Campbell b Warrican 26 97
Mushfiq c Cornwall b Warrican 38 69
Shakib not out 39 92
Liton not out 34 58
Extras (b 2, lb 2, nb 3, w 5) 12
Total (90 Ov, RR: 2.68) 242/5
Fall Of Wickets
1-23 (Tamim), 2-66 (Shanto), 3-119 (Mominul), 4-134 (Shadman), 5-193 (Mushfiq)
Bowling
Roach 16-5-44-1, Gabriel 17-3-51-0, Cornwall 22-1-56-0, Mayers 7-2-16-0, Warrican 24-5-58-3, Brathwaite 4-0-13-0
