West Indies clinch WTC27 series after stalemate in Sylhet

MATCH CENTRE

Towhid Hridoy and Mushfiqur Rahim produced a memorable batting performance to help Bangladesh secure a draw in the second Test against West Indies in Sylhet. Despite the hosts' spirited fightback on the final day, the visitors claimed the two-match series 1-0, thanks to their eight-wicket victory in the first Test in Dhaka.

Resuming their pursuit of a challenging 369-run target, Bangladesh finished on 184/4, with Hridoy scoring 82 and Mushfiqur contributing 49. The pair's 135-run partnership for the third wicket ensured the hosts avoided defeat after a difficult start to the final day.

Hridoy had already made history with an unbeaten 242 in Bangladesh's first innings. His second-innings contribution took his match aggregate beyond 300, the first Bangladesh batter to achieve the feat in a Test. He also became the ninth batter to aggregate 300 or more runs against West Indies in a Test.

Mushfiqur reached a landmark of his own, becoming the first Bangladesh batter to score 7,000 runs in Test cricket.

Earlier, Jomel Warrican put Bangladesh under pressure with two wickets in the morning session, dismissing Tanzid Hasan and captain Najmul Hossain Shanto. Warrican also reached the significant milestone of 100 Test wickets during the match, adding another achievement to an impressive career.

West Indies had declared their second innings at 398/6, with Kavem Hodge scoring 142 and Kevin Wickham contributing 78. Nayeem Hasan claimed 2/72, while Amir Jangoo remained unbeaten on 39.

Although Bangladesh could not complete the chase, Hridoy and Mushfiqur's resistance ensured a hard-earned draw and provided a positive finish to the home side's campaign.

Despite sealing the series victory, West Indies remain in eighth in the World Test Championship standings, while Bangladesh remain in fifth, with a Test series against South Africa to come.