Despite Mominul Haque’s eighth career Test ton Bangladesh suffered a batting jolt in the post tea session as they scored 235 on the first day of the first Test of two-match Test series at Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium here on Thursday.
From 216/3 before at Tea, the Tigers crumbled to 235 for 7 following Shannon Gabriel’s storm breakthrough after Tea. The Caribbean pacer picked up four wickets in post Tea session as Bangladesh lost Mominul Haque, Mushfiqur Rahim, Mahmudullah Riyad, Shakib Al Hasan in quick successions, despite a solid platform laid by Mominul Haque, Imrul Kayes and Shakib Al Hasan in the morning session.
The left handed classy batsman Mominul, who scored sixth Test century in this venue from eight matches, hit Roston Chase past point for a boundary to reach his hundred. Through his extraordinary performance he reminded the authority about his position in playing Test matches for Bangladesh.
The diminutive batsman played an impressive 120-run off 167-ball laced with 10 boundaries and one over boundary before the fall of his wicket in the post tea period.
The host had been going strong with Mominul and Shakib Al Hasan but the Caribbean’s came back to the game after Tea as they removed man-in-form Mushfiqur Rahim through a leg-before by Gabriel’s delivery.
Gabriel continued his onslaught on Bangladesh innings by picking up wickets of Mahmudullah making him clean bowled while Shakib Al Hasan (34), who had looked good with bat after a long break, tried to drive on an inside- edge to see his stumps disturbed, leaving Bangladesh in a deep trouble.
Jomel Warrican joined the party taking the wicket of Mehidy Miraz establishing their full control over the match.
Taijul Islam with 32 and debutant Nayeem Hasan with 24 were batting cautiously sharing unbeaten 56 runs in the ninth wicket stand to take the team total past 300 hundred runs ensuring no further damage as the bails were drawn for the day.
Earlier in the first session, West Indies pacer Kemar Roach struck early on Bangladesh innings as he picked up the wicket of opener Soumya Sarkar (0) who gave a back catch to wicket keeper Shane Dowrich in the third ball of the first over.
After the departure of Soumya, Mominul Haque then came to crease. He shared 104-run second wicket stand with another opener Imrul Kayes to take the team to a comfortable position before Jomel Warrican broke the partnership removing Kayes for 44 just before the lunch break.
Bangladesh added 111 runs in the second session losing the wicket of Mohammad Mithun (20). Devendra Bishoo took the wicket of Mithun who gave an easy catch to wicket keeper Dowrich.
Shannon Gabriel was the pick of West Indies bowler as he claimed four wickets conceding 69 runs. He was well supported by Jomel Warrican who took two wickets giving away 62 runs.
Brief score:
Bangladesh 1st innings – Bangladesh 1st innings – Mominul 120, Kayes 44, Shakib 34, Taijul 32 batting, Naeem 24 batting, Mehidy 22, Mithun 20, Shannon Gabriel 4/69, Jomel Warrican 2/62.
Source: BSS