A dramatic collapse saw Bangladesh surrender a commanding position in the opening Test against West Indies in Mirpur on Thursday, with left-arm spinner Jomel Warrican ripping through the hosts’ batting order to claim five wickets and shift momentum decisively.
Bangladesh, who resumed the second day at 213-3 with opener Shadman Islam unbeaten on 99, appeared poised to post a formidable total. Shadman reached his third Test century early in the morning session, flicking debutant spinner Joshua Bishop for the milestone runs on just the second delivery of the day.
But what followed was a stunning reversal. Bangladesh lost their final seven wickets for a mere 51 runs, collapsing from 221-3 to 272 all out before lunch. Warrican finished with figures of 5-53, his fourth five-wicket haul in Test cricket, while Bishop and fast bowler Shamar Joseph claimed two wickets each to dismantle the tail.
Shadman, who fell for 105 after Bishop trapped him lbw, expressed frustration at the missed opportunity. He acknowledged that had the top order converted starts into substantial scores of 150 or 200, Bangladesh could have reached 450 or even 500—a total that would have put the match firmly beyond West Indies’ reach.
Towhid Hridoy, who retired hurt on 42 the previous day due to cramps, returned to the crease but was immediately dismissed by Bishop without adding to his score. Only Litton Das showed resistance among the lower order, remaining unbeaten on 34 as wickets tumbled around him.
West Indies began their reply aggressively, with openers John Campbell and Brandon King attacking Bangladesh’s pace bowlers. Campbell reached a brisk half-century off 61 balls, guiding the visitors to 89-1 at tea after Hasan Mahmud had removed King for 15.
However, a rain interruption lasting approximately an hour proved pivotal. When play resumed, Bangladesh’s spinners struck back with renewed energy. Off-spinner Mehidy Hasan Miraz dismissed Campbell for 54 with a sharply turning delivery that found the edge, and captain Najmul Hossain Shanto completed a diving catch.
Left-arm spinner Taijul Islam then delivered a double blow in the 36th over, removing Kavem Hodge for seven and Amir Jangoo for a duck to leave West Indies reeling at 97-4.
Tagenarine Chanderpaul and Justin Greaves steadied the innings with an unbroken partnership, reaching 134-4 before bad light forced an early end to play. Chanderpaul was batting on 43 and Greaves on 15 as West Indies closed the day trailing by 138 runs.
Campbell later reflected that the rain break allowed Bangladesh to regroup and bowl in better areas, disrupting the momentum West Indies had built. With three days remaining and the match delicately poised, both teams will look to seize control on day three in what has become a gripping contest between bat and ball.
