Hridoy turns debut century into double ton, but Bangladesh still cannot break West Indies opening stand

The fourth day of the Sylhet Test is under way. West Indies, who began their second innings trailing Bangladesh by 30 runs, have crossed fifty without losing a wicket. As of the time of writing, Bangladesh have still not been able to break the visitors' opening partnership.

Earlier, Bangladesh scored 386 in their first innings, losing nine wickets in 111.5 overs. Hridoy top-scored for the team with an unbeaten 242. Sadman Islam could not come out to bat after getting injured while fielding, so Bangladesh's innings ended with nine wickets down. West Indies had earlier scored 356 in their first innings.

Today (Saturday), Bangladesh resumed the third day of the Sylhet Test on 88 for three. After showing signs of a fightback at the start, their hopes were undone by a needless shot from Mushfiqur. He played a round-the-wicket shot off a tossed-up delivery from Jomel Warrican and was caught at short cover. He departed for 34, ending his 73-run partnership with Hridoy.

Litton Das, coming in as the new batter, began batting aggressively. Although he hit two boundaries, Warrican used his attacking intent to set a trap. Litton drove at a full-length delivery on off stump and, like Mushfiqur, gave a catch to Brandon King standing at cover.

The Hridoy-Mehidy Hasan Miraz partnership also raised hopes before breaking at 41 runs. Miraz, who had been batting fluently, had already decided to play a paddle shot off Roston Chase. As the ball did not meet the bat properly, a catch went up, and Justin Greaves ran in from first slip and dived to take it. Miraz stopped at 16.

Hasan Mahmud was also dismissed within six runs. A Warrican delivery going away from him took the faintest touch of his bat and settled in the wicketkeeper's gloves. Bangladesh lost their seventh wicket at 184, with the Caribbean side still 172 runs ahead. Bangladesh's chances of coming back into the match looked very slim. But Hridoy did not give up.

With Taijul Islam, Hridoy built a 117-run partnership for the eighth wicket. Hridoy made the bigger contribution, but Taijul also gave him fine support from the other end. The stand ended when Taijul departed after scoring 22 off 56 balls.

Hridoy then continued the fight with Taskin Ahmed and reached a double century, touching the milestone off 304 balls. It was his first three-figure innings, meaning he turned his maiden century into a double century. Taskin and Hridoy added 85 more runs for the ninth wicket. Taskin departed after scoring 12 off 29 balls, ending that stand. Hridoy remained unbeaten on 242 off 359 balls.

West Indies began their second innings trailing Bangladesh by 30 runs. Late on the third day, they played just four overs and reduced the deficit to 23. Taskin Ahmed wasted two reviews in the same over, leaving Bangladesh frustrated. West Indies ended the day on seven without loss in four overs, with Brandon King and Joshua Da Silva unbeaten on five and two respectively.

On the fourth day, 14 more overs have been bowled as of the time of writing. Bangladesh have still not broken the opening partnership. Neither the spin of Mehidy Hasan Miraz and Taijul Islam nor the pace of Taskin Ahmed and Hasan Mahmud has been able to dislodge the visitors' first two batters. Instead, King hit Taskin for a four off the fourth ball of the 11th over to put his team in the lead. The team total has already crossed fifty. Both Da Silva and King are racing towards half-centuries, and Bangladesh are now playing with the aim of breaking this partnership.