Tigers in the driver’s seat

Bangladesh scored 36 runs in the first six overs of Day 2. That was in stark contrast to how they started the innings on the opening day with 20 runs in their first 10 overs, reports Cricbuzz. 

Shakib Al Hasan made his intention clear upfront on the second day. Aggression was the approach the Bangladesh batsmen were going to adopt to get a move on after having ended the opening day on 259 for 5. 

As a result, in a session that Bangladesh scored their runs at a quick pace of just under five, they went into the break on 387 for 6, strengthening their position in the second Test in Dhaka on Saturday (December 1).

Despite Kemar Roach getting some extra bounce with the new ball - that ideally Windies should've taken in the last session yesterday - that caused Mahmudullah a bit of trouble, Shakib went after Roston Chase, resorting to sweeps, which fetched him a hat-trick of boundaries early on. Mahmudullah had trouble negating the movement Roach was extracting, but he danced down the track in the next over to dispatch him to the fence, regaining some confidence after starting off a bit circumspectly, middling the ball better gradually getting to a half-century.

Roach was a tad unlucky on the day despite some good bowling. An angling-in delivery was edged to second slip who claimed the catch, but the soft-signal being not out, and inconclusive evidence to overturn it meant Mahmudullah survived. Roach eventually was rewarded with Shakib edging to gully on 80, but not before a 111-stand. It was a big wicket for Windies, who needed some momentum going their way.

However, like has been the narrative in Bangladesh's first innings so far, it has all been about the partnerships. There were a couple of reviews from the Windies, which were adjudged not out by the on-field umpires, and remained so with Windies failing to make any further inroads. Liton Das, who was brought in as an extra batsman and will keep wickets this Test, and Mahmudullah, went on to share a half-century stand as they piled on the runs. Bangladesh didn't have to work hard for their runs; they kept trickling in as Windies were out of ideas as to how they could break the seventh-wicket stand that came briskly. Das took just 54 balls for his 53 not out, while Mahmudullah remained unbeaten on 75, having added 86 together.