Bangladeshs Innings Collapse Despite Towhid Lone Fight

With clear skies and bright morning sunshine making the 22-yard pitch in Sylhet look ideal for batting, Bangladesh’s batters walked out to the middle with hopes of putting up a strong performance. However, that early optimism did not last long. The hosts soon found themselves on the back foot after losing wickets in quick succession.

Amid the steady procession of batters returning to the pavilion, Towhid Hridoy stood firm at one end and continued to fight. Facing 171 deliveries, the young batter reached a major milestone by scoring his maiden century in red-ball cricket. His innings was largely responsible for taking Bangladesh past the 200-run mark.

West Indies spinner Jomel Warrican’s disciplined bowling strategy triggered a collapse in Bangladesh’s middle order. Mushfiqur Rahim, who scored 34, and Litton Das, who had made an aggressive start, both fell into a catching trap set at short mid-off. Soon after, Justin Greaves pulled off a stunning catch at leg slip to dismiss Mehidy Hasan Miraz, who attempted an unusual scoop shot against Roston Chase.

Bangladesh managed to add 117 runs at the cost of four crucial wickets during the third day’s first session. Considering the absence of Shadman Islam, the successive dismissals have made the situation even more concerning for the hosts. By the lunch break, Bangladesh had effectively lost seven wickets for 205 runs.

The hosts are still trailing West Indies’ first-innings total by 151 runs. Century-maker Hridoy remains at the crease alongside Taijul Islam, who is unbeaten on just one run and is the last fit batter available. Much now depends on their efforts to reduce the deficit.