Chasing 369, Bangladesh reach 162 as unbeaten Hridoy-Mushfiq stand keeps victory hopes alive

Bangladesh were under pressure early on the fifth day of the Sylhet Test, losing two wickets while chasing a target of 369 for victory. But Tawhid Hridoy and Mushfiqur Rahim steadied the innings superbly. In their unbroken partnership, the hosts lost no wicket in the second session, and Hridoy's fine half-century helped Bangladesh make the session their own.

At the end of the second session, Bangladesh had reached 162 for 2 in 48 overs. The Tigers still need 207 more runs to win, with eight wickets in hand.

Earlier in the day, West Indies declared their second innings at 398 for 6. Bangladesh had trailed by 30 runs in the first innings, so the Caribbean side's lead stood at 368 runs. That left Bangladesh with a target of 369 to win.

The chase did not begin well for Bangladesh. Tanzid Hasan was dismissed for 21 by Jomel Warrican with the score on 33. The hosts then lost their second wicket on 40, when captain Najmul Hossain Shanto became Warrican's second victim, also for 14 runs.

With both openers gone, Hridoy and Mushfiq showed Bangladesh the way back. They began cautiously, but opened up as time went on. Hridoy, in particular, reached his half-century with superb batting. The batter who scored a double century in the first innings has become the team's mainstay in the second innings too.

Hridoy was unbeaten on 8 runs when the second session began. From there, he finished the session unbeaten on 82 off 130 balls, with eight fours. Experienced Mushfiq, meanwhile, was unbeaten on 40 off 99 balls, with four fours.

After his 242-run double century in the first innings, Hridoy has now added a fifty in the second innings to complete 300 runs in the match. He is the first Bangladeshi batter to score 300 runs in a single Test match. His maiden Test century was itself a double century.

Mushfiqur Rahim has also reached a major milestone in this match. He is now the first Bangladeshi batter to enter the 7,000-run club in Test cricket.

Bangladesh have not lost a wicket since the fall of the second wicket. Thanks to the resolve of Hridoy and Mushfiq, the team's total has moved from 40 to 162.

Both wickets for West Indies so far have been taken by Jomel Warrican. He has taken the two openers' wickets, conceding 37 runs in 13 overs.

At the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium, the equation for Bangladesh on the fifth day is now simple — 207 more runs to win, with eight wickets in hand. How far the Hridoy-Mushfiq partnership goes in the final session will decide the fate of the match.