Justin Greaves. (Photo Source: Windies/X)
Day 4 of the ongoing first Test between the West Indies and Bangladesh took several turns. After conceding 450 runs in the first innings to the hosts, Bangladesh replied by posting a total of 269 runs and declaring. As the day was cut short due to bad light, Bangladesh decided to declare despite being many runs behind the Windies.
Hoping to bundle out the hosts as quickly as possible and getting a reasonable target to chase down in the second innings, Bangladesh put in their best effort for the same and saw the Windies reduced to 39/3 in the second innings. Kraigg Brathwaite and Mikyle Louis opened the second innings by scoring 23 and 8 runs, respectively.
Keacy Carty and Kavem Hodge were sent packing for 3 and 15 runs, respectively, as Bangladesh continued to mount up the pressure. Alick Athanaze added 42 runs on the board as the West Indies posted a total of 152 runs on the board in the second innings, giving Bangladesh a target of 334 runs to chase down.
As for the visitors, Taskin Ahmed was the highest wicket-taker in the second innings, with six wickets to his name. Mehidy Hasan Miraz took two wickets with Shoriful Islam, and Taijul Islam struck once each as well.
Coming out to chase a target of 334 runs, Bangladesh got off to a horrible start. Opener Zakir Hasan departed for a duck with Mahmudul Hasan Joy adding just six runs on the board as well. Furthermore, things went from bad to worse as Mominul Haque and Shahadat Hossain scored 11 and four runs, respectively.
After the top-order’s failure to go big, the middle-order batters looked to stabilise the innings. Litton Das added 22 runs on the board with skipper Mehidy Hasan Miraz scoring 45 runs in 46 deliveries. Day 4 of the first Test ended with Jaker Ali and Hasan Mahmud unbeaten on the crease as Bangladesh found themselves in a precarious position of 109/7, still needing 225 runs to win the game.