Hridoy's marathon double-ton lifts Bangladesh in Sylhet

Towhid Hridoy's scintillating double-century dragged Bangladesh out of the mire in the second World Test Championship Test between Bangladesh and West Indies. A 117-run eighth wicket stand between Hridoy and Taijul Islam (22) helped the hosts recover to 301/8 before Taijul was stumped by Amir Jangoo off Jomel Warrican.

Bangladesh were staring down the barrel when Taijul walked into bat before the lunch break. By the time he left the crease, his side was just 55 short of West Indies' 356. Hridoy, batting on exactly 100 at the lunch interval, launched into an amazing array of strokeplay, lacing the ball through point with several square-cuts, as well as five sixes from midwicket to extra cover.

When Towhid reached 172, he set the record for the highest individual score in Tests in Sylhet, passing Mahmudul Hasan Joy’s 171 against Ireland last year.

The hosts started Day 3 at 88/3 with Mushfiqur Rahim and Towhid Hridoy on the crease and trailing by 268 runs. 

West Indies' spinners got Bangladesh on the ropes in the day's first session. Warrican had both Mushfiqur Rahim (34) and Litton Das (8) caught at cover in consecutive overs. Mushfiqur drove the ball on the up, while Litton tried to simply time it through the covers, the ball lobbing easily to Brandon King. Mushfiqur's catch went to Chase who dived to his left to complete a splendid grab.

Justin Greaves then took a smart catch running from slip towards the leg side, after Mehidy Hasan Miraz (16) played an uppish lap sweep. Warrican then got Hasan Mahmud (1) caught behind by Jangoo, as Bangladesh slipped into further danger.

Towhid Hridoy and Taijul Islam’s resistance for the eighth wicket yielded 117 runs as Bangladesh went from 184/7 to 301/8.

However, despite the loss of a long partnership, Hridoy powered on as Bangladesh eventually took the lead with him converting his maiden Test hundred into a double-hundred in Bangladesh’s moment of need with the series on the line. His score of 242* was laced with 22 fours and 11 sixes as he carried the bat as Bangladesh finished on 386 after the loss of Taskin Ahmed’s (12) wicket off Jayden Seales. Bangladesh were a batter down due to the injury sustained by opener Shadman Islam on Day 2 of the Test.

The visitors began their second innings in Sylhet, as they trailed by 30 runs, but however, the day was cut short by bad light with West Indies ending Day 3 at 7/0, trailing by 23 runs.