Ending a One-Run Wait, Sadman Scores His Third Test Century Against the West Indies in Mirpur

After walking off unbeaten on 99 on the first day, Sadman Islam ended the wait on the second day. The left-handed Bangladesh opener scored the third century of his career in the Mirpur Test against the West Indies.

Bad light stopped play before the scheduled close on the first day, lengthening Sadman's wait for the century. By the end of that first day he was unbeaten on 99 off 219 balls.

He completed the coveted hundred right at the start of the second day, reaching three figures with the help of ten fours.

In the same innings, Sadman also touched the milestone of 7,000 runs in first-class cricket.

In a Test career spanning more than thirty matches, this is Sadman's third century, and his second Test hundred on home soil.

Sadman's journey in international cricket began in 2018, also against the West Indies. He has now scored his third Test century against those same Caribbean opponents.

His previous Test century came in April last year in Chattogram against Zimbabwe. In 17 innings since then he scored four half-centuries but could not convert any of them into three figures.

In the match, Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto won the toss and chose to bat first. The hosts started poorly, however, as opener Tanzid Hasan Tamim was caught in the slips off Jayden Seales with the team total on 7.

Sadman then rebuilt with Mominul Haque in a 59-run second-wicket stand; the stand broke when Mominul was dismissed for 28. Sadman next added 42 runs with captain Shanto, who also departed for 19.

Sadman then carried the innings forward with Towhid Hridoy, but Hridoy, close to a personal half-century, had to leave the field retired hurt because of injury. Overcoming every setback, Sadman held one end and built his innings; on his batting Bangladesh crossed the 200-run mark, with Litton Kumar Das batting alongside him at that stage.