Bangladesh's Early Setbacks in Warm-Up Match Ahead of West Indies Test Series

In preparation for the upcoming Test series against the West Indies, Bangladesh opted to bat first in their warm-up match at the Coolidge Cricket Ground in Antigua. Despite giving an early impression of a strong start, the Bangladesh openers soon found themselves in deep trouble.

Early Struggles:

After winning the toss, Bangladesh captain Mehedi Hasan Miraz chose to bat. The opening partnership of Mahmudul Hasan Joy and Zakir Hasan showed promise in the first few overs, with Bangladesh putting up 20 runs in just 3 overs. However, the partnership was short-lived. After just 5.2 overs, the opening stand was broken at 29 runs, with Joy dismissed for 8. Zakir Hasan also failed to build on his start and was sent back to the pavilion for 15 runs off 34 balls. At 38 runs, Bangladesh had already lost both their openers, leaving the team in a vulnerable position.

Muminul Haque and Shahadat Hossain Dipu Steady the Ship:

With Bangladesh in early trouble, Muminul Haque came in at number 3, looking to anchor the innings. He struck a boundary to open his account, showing signs of confidence. Shahadat Hossain Dipu, added to the squad following the injury to captain Nazmul Hossain Shanto, joined him at the crease. Together, they managed to calm things down, bringing some stability to the innings. At the end of 14 overs, Bangladesh stood at 2 wickets for 62 runs.

Weather Disruption:

Just as Bangladesh was looking to recover, rain interrupted the match at the Coolidge Cricket Ground. The game was halted, and the pitch area was covered. Once the rain subsided, ground staff worked to prepare the outfield for the resumption of play. Muminul Haque was 12* from 25 balls, and Shahadat Hossain Dipu was unbeaten on 15 from 13 balls at the time of the break.

Summary of the Day's Play:

• Bangladesh’s top order faced significant challenges, with both openers, Mahmudul Hasan Joy and Zakir Hasan, falling early.
• The pair of Muminul Haque and Shahadat Hossain Dipu steadied the innings, but the rain delay brought further disruption.
• The match continues for another day as part of Bangladesh's two-day warm-up before the Test series.