Naim's maiden Test fifty keeps Bangladesh fighting, West Indies set a target of 170 in Mirpur

Amid a batting collapse in the Mirpur Test, Naim Hasan held one end and kept fighting. His maiden Test half-century has set the West Indies a target of 170 runs. Bangladesh were bowled out for 142 in their second innings; with the 27-run first-innings lead, the hosts' total lead stood at 169.

Bangladesh resumed on the fourth day at 79 for 6. With the previous day's lead of 106, the hosts had hoped for a bigger total at the start of the day. But Bangladesh were jolted early — wicketkeeper-batter Jaker Ali Anik, on 22, was beaten by Jomel Warrican's turn and dismissed, breaking his 31-run stand with Naim.

Naim then tried to build resistance with Hasan Mahmud, but that stand did not last long either — Hasan was trapped lbw by Warrican. The pair had added 26 runs.

After that, Naim built small partnerships with Taijul Islam and Shoriful Islam to push the total along — 17 runs with Taijul and 15 with Shoriful. While team-mates came and went at the other end, the off-spinner kept batting on.

Eventually Naim fell as Roston Chase's fifth wicket, but not before playing a fine innings of 52. It was the first half-century of his Test career, and it was also the top score of Bangladesh's second innings. It was his fighting innings that carried the hosts to 142.

Among the West Indies bowlers, Roston Chase was the most successful with 5 wickets, while Jomel Warrican took 4.

Earlier, Bangladesh had scored 272 in the first innings on Sadman Islam's century of 105. In reply, the West Indies were bowled out for 245 under the pressure of Bangladesh's spinners, giving the hosts a 27-run lead despite a fight from the Caribbean side. Naim Hasan took 4 wickets with the ball in the first innings, and in the second innings he became the team's mainstay with the bat as well.

Notably, play on the third day of the Mirpur Test also ended before the scheduled time because of poor light. That day, the West Indies, resuming at 134 for 4, lost their remaining 6 wickets to be all out for 245. Bangladesh then scored 79 for 6 in 29 overs in their second innings.