Hridoy reaches 150 to drag Bangladesh back from the ruins, 90-run stand with Taijul

Towhid Hridoy is fighting a lone battle for Bangladesh against the West Indies on the third day of the Sylhet Test. Playing only the third Test of his international career, he turned his first half-century into a century and has now reached 150. His heroic innings, played from the ruins of the innings, is keeping Bangladesh's hopes of a fight alive, with Taijul Islam giving him able support. The hosts have so far reached 274 for 7.

When Bangladesh lost their seventh wicket on 184, the West Indies were still 172 runs ahead. From there, Hridoy and Taijul have cut the gap to 82. The Hridoy-Taijul partnership has so far added 90 runs, and that is what is giving Bangladesh hope of building up their first-innings total.

Hridoy reached his first Test century off his 171st ball, having struck 11 fours and one six by then. His bat grew even more aggressive after that. On his way to 150 off 235 balls, he hit 14 fours and five sixes, meaning 36 of his next 50 runs came in boundaries.

Taijul Islam has scored 15 runs in support, but it is Hridoy who has faced most of the balls, holding one end while scoring runs and keeping the partnership alive.

Earlier on Saturday, Bangladesh had resumed the third day of the Sylhet Test on 88 for 3. They hinted at a fightback at the start, but that promise was undone by a needless shot from Mushfiqur Rahim. He tried to hit Jomel Warrican's tossed-up delivery round the wicket and was caught at short cover, departing for 34. His partnership with Hridoy ended on 73.

Litton Das, coming in as the new batter, began with aggressive batting. He hit two boundaries, but Warrican used that attacking intent to set a trap. Litton drove a full-length ball on off stump and, like Mushfiq, was caught at cover by Brandon King, who took it with complete ease.

The Hridoy-Mehedi Hasan Miraz partnership also raised hopes before ending on 41. Miraz, who had been batting fluently, had already decided to play a paddle shot against Roston Chase, and when the ball did not come off the bat cleanly, it looped up and Justin Greaves ran in from first slip to dive and catch it. Miraz stopped on 16.

Hasan Mahmud was dismissed six runs later. Warrican's ball going away took the faintest edge of his bat and settled in the wicketkeeper's gloves, leaving Bangladesh seven down on 184.

From there, the resistance of Hridoy and Taijul is giving Bangladesh dreams of getting back into the match. If they can get close to the West Indies' first-innings total, the deficit can be brought down.

This innings will also stand as a milestone in Hridoy's career. A first century in only his third Test, followed by 150, played in the team's hardest hour, will give him greater confidence for the future.