Bangladesh 79 for 6 at close on day three in Mirpur Test, Naim reaches 50 wickets

Spinner Naim Hasan gets the credit for bowling out the West Indies in the first innings on the third day of the Mirpur Test. Even after a poor batting display at the end of the day, the faint hope Bangladesh still have is also mainly because of Naim.

Bangladesh fought back with the ball in the first part of the day. Naim Hasan's spin earned the hosts a 27-run lead. But that relief did not last long. Batting in the second innings, Bangladesh lost wicket after wicket and are now under pressure themselves. When play on the third day was stopped for bad light, the hosts were 79 for 6. The overall lead is 106 runs.

At the start of the day, the visitors were in a good position through Tagenarine Chanderpaul and Justin Greaves. Chanderpaul scored 56 off 184 balls before being caught at slip off Shoriful Islam. Greaves was also taking the team forward, but he was out LBW to Naim for 46 just before lunch.

In the second session, Mehidy Hasan Miraz opened the wicket account by removing Joshua Bishop. The West Indies tail then collapsed to Naim's spin. He removed Shamar Joseph and Jomel Warrican in the same over, and later dismissed Jayden Seales to complete his fourth wicket.

By removing Joseph, Naim also reached the milestone of 50 Test wickets. He set the record as the fastest among Bangladesh spinners in terms of balls. The West Indies innings ended at 245. Roston Chase remained unbeaten on 43. Bangladesh's first innings total was 272.

With a 27-run lead, Bangladesh never found rhythm from the start of the second innings. Tanzid Hasan was caught at gully off Shamar Joseph without scoring. Sadman Islam then scored 13 before being bowled by Chase.

Towhid Hridoy was also out in that Chase over trying to play a big shot. After Hridoy's dismissal, Bangladesh's batting fell apart. Caribbean captain Chase trapped Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto LBW; Shanto could not survive even after taking a review.

Later, at the start of the third session, Litton Das was out LBW to Jomel Warrican for 4. Miraz was bowled by the same bowler for 9.

Bangladesh were in deep trouble at 60 for 6. From there, Naim Hasan and Jaker Ali, who came in as a concussion substitute for Mominul Haque, tried to resist. Their partnership added 26 runs. At one stage the umpire ruled Naim LBW, but he survived on review.

Rain and bad light repeatedly interrupted the day's play. Play was finally stopped at 79 for 6 in 29 overs as the light faded. Only 4 wickets remain. Although the lead is 106 with the first-innings advantage added, Bangladesh will need the Naim-Jaker partnership to grow much bigger on the fourth day to take control of the match.