West Indies Bowlers Maintain Dominance as Bangladesh Struggles in Opening Test at …..
News Report:
The third day of the opening Test match between Bangladesh and the West Indies at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium in Chattogram saw the visiting West Indies bowlers dominating the proceedings, keeping the hosts under tight control. Bangladesh, which was hoping to make a comeback after a solid first-innings effort, found themselves firmly under pressure at the close of play. Despite a gritty fight from their middle-order batsmen, they were unable to stave off the West Indian attack, ending the day at 174 for 5, still trailing by 123 runs.
A Day of West Indian Bowling Dominance
After a slow but steady start in the first innings, the West Indies had posted a competitive total of 297 runs, setting a challenging target for the hosts. On Day 3, the Windies’ bowlers continued their excellent form from the previous days, utilizing the overcast conditions and the slow, turning pitch to great effect.
The day began with Bangladesh resuming their innings on 48 for 2, still 249 runs adrift of the West Indies’ first innings score. Taskin Ahmed and Mominul Haque were at the crease, both looking to steady the ship. However, the West Indies’ pace attack, led by Kemar Roach, was relentless. Roach, who had been a consistent threat throughout the series, struck early on Day 3, removing Mominul Haque for a patient 32 runs. Mominul, who had been one of the key players for Bangladesh in recent months, failed to read an in-swinging delivery that trapped him leg-before wicket.
The first breakthrough came just before the lunch break, with Bangladesh still well behind the required pace to challenge West Indies’ first innings score. The batsmen were struggling to find any rhythm against the disciplined bowling of Roach, Alzarri Joseph, and Jason Holder.
West Indies’ Pace Attack Sets the Tone
The West Indies’ fast bowlers used the conditions intelligently, with Roach leading the charge. The veteran pacer, who has been a stalwart of the West Indian attack for over a decade, was able to extract both bounce and movement off the pitch. His disciplined line and length, particularly around the off-stump, kept the Bangladeshi batsmen in check, preventing them from scoring freely. Roach’s ability to vary his pace and maintain constant pressure on the batsmen was evident as he delivered a probing spell after lunch, which eventually led to the dismissal of Mominul.
Alzarri Joseph, too, continued to display his prowess, mixing pace with subtle variations to unsettle the Bangladeshi top order. While he didn’t pick up as many wickets as Roach, his consistent threat was evident, forcing the batsmen to be constantly cautious in their approach.
Jason Holder, the West Indian captain, proved why he is regarded as one of the finest all-rounders in the modern game. Holder’s all-round contributions continued as he bowled a tight, testing spell, offering no respite to the Bangladeshi batsmen. His ability to extract bounce on a pitch that wasn’t offering much for the pacers showed his class and composure. As a leader, Holder led from the front, ensuring his bowlers kept the pressure on Bangladesh’s batsmen.
The Bangladesh Response – A Gritty Effort
Despite the initial setbacks, Bangladesh showed resilience, particularly through Shakib Al Hasan and Litton Das, who fought hard to keep the scoreboard ticking over. Shakib, in particular, was determined to anchor the innings, playing a patient knock while taking calculated risks when the situation demanded. He played some fine shots, particularly against the spinners, and looked to counter-attack when given the opportunity.
Shakib’s batting was vital in stabilizing the innings after the loss of key wickets. He faced a tough challenge against the West Indies’ fast bowlers, but his experience and ability to adapt to different conditions were evident. Although not able to dominate the bowlers, Shakib’s resolute approach ensured that Bangladesh didn’t lose too many wickets in quick succession.
Litton Das, who had been in decent form in the lead-up to this match, also dug in, playing a gritty knock. Das showed admirable patience in difficult conditions, holding firm while others around him faltered. His partnership with Shakib, though not explosive, was important in giving Bangladesh a fighting chance at stumps on Day 3.
At the close of play, Litton was still unbeaten on 38, while Shakib was on 43, and they had managed to weather the storm together. However, Bangladesh had little room for complacency, with their tail now exposed, and the West Indies attack ready to pounce on any opportunity.
A Sparkling Performance from the Windies’ Spinners
While the West Indies’ pacers grabbed the spotlight, it was also important to note the contribution of the spinners. Roston Chase, the off-spinner, provided excellent control through the middle overs and was always a threat with the ball. His ability to vary his flight and turn kept the Bangladesh middle-order on edge. Even though the pitch did not assist spinners as much as anticipated, Chase’s intelligence and subtle variations were key in creating pressure.
Chase’s wicket of Nurul Hasan was a testament to his skill. Hasan, who was looking to settle in, misjudged a flighted delivery that spun past his bat and clipped the stumps. It was a significant moment in the game as it further hindered Bangladesh’s progress.
The role of Devendra Bishoo was also crucial, though he bowled fewer overs compared to Chase. Bishoo’s experience, though often overshadowed by the pace attack, was useful in maintaining pressure on the Bangladeshi batsmen. His deceptive spin and the bounce he extracted from the pitch made him a constant threat.
Bangladesh’s Struggles Against Quality Pace and Spin
The Bangladesh batting lineup was under pressure, with the fast bowlers exploiting the early conditions and the spinners maintaining pressure in the middle overs. The batting order, despite some promising knocks, found it difficult to counter the disciplined attack from the West Indies.
The failure of the Bangladesh openers has been a significant worry throughout the Test series. Tamim Iqbal and Mahmudul Hasan Joy both failed to make an impact once again, with the opening partnership failing to provide a solid foundation. The loss of these wickets early in the innings forced Bangladesh into a precarious position, with the middle order left to do the rebuilding job.
While Taskin Ahmed and Ebadot Hossain showed resilience with the bat, especially in the lower order, they were unable to offer significant resistance against the high-class bowling of the West Indies. Bangladesh’s task on Day 4 will be to build a partnership and get closer to the Windies’ first innings total, with Shakib and Litton looking to anchor the innings.
The West Indies’ Balanced Attack – A Complete Performance
One of the most impressive aspects of the West Indies’ performance on Day 3 was their ability to keep things tight across all departments of the game. Their balance between pace and spin, combined with their skillful execution, ensured that Bangladesh was never able to settle in.
The West Indies’ attack is well-rounded, with Roach providing the experience and control, Joseph offering pace, and Holder contributing with both bat and ball. Chase and Bishoo have played important supporting roles as spinners, making it clear that the West Indies are well-equipped for the conditions in Chattogram.
This balance, coupled with a disciplined fielding performance, gave the West Indies a strong foothold in the match. They will now look to wrap up the Bangladesh innings early on Day 4 and chase down any remaining runs to secure a victory.
Conclusion:
As stumps were called on Day 3, the West Indies were firmly in control of the match, with Bangladesh trailing by 123 runs and only five wickets in hand. The West Indian bowlers, led by Roach and Joseph, have been relentless, and the spinners have added further pressure. Shakib and Litton will need to produce a monumental effort on Day 4 if Bangladesh hopes to avoid defeat and stay competitive in this Test match.
The West Indies, with their disciplined approach, have been a class above so far. However, as any Test match in Bangladesh can attest, the pitch can change character as the game progresses, and with the right partnership, Bangladesh still has a slim chance of making a comeback. Nevertheless, the West Indies are well-positioned to push for an early win and take control of this series with a comprehensive performance in the opening Test.
The next day promises to be an intriguing contest, with Bangladesh needing to resist the West Indies’ attack and survive the final session, while the visitors will look to clean up the lower order and finish the job.
