Bangladesh’s well-established vulnerability to fast bowling was in evidence again with the visitors crashing to 103 all out off fewer than 33 overs after being put in to bat against the West Indies on the opening day of the first Test on Thursday.
Compounding their woes after an innings which featured six ducks — only the seventh time that has occurred in the 145-year history of Test cricket — was Kraigg Brathwaite being dropped before he had scored with the home captain unbeaten on 42 as they crawled to the close of play at 95 for two in reply.
Jayden Seales and Alzarri Joseph were the most successful West Indies bowlers with identical figures of three for 33.
However, it was double strikes by Kemar Roach and Kyle Mayers which took the early spotlight to have Bangladesh tottering at 45 for six in the morn-ing.
Returning captain Shakib Al Hasan then played an adventurous innings of 51 to ensure his team avoided a debacle similar to when they were routed for 43 at the same venue at the start of the 2018 series.
With Brathwaite having no hesitation in opting to bowl first, Roach was immediately among the wick-ets.
Passed fit just the day before, the senior seamer struck with the second ball of the match as Mah-mudul Hasan pushed carelessly at a wide delivery for Nkrumah Bonner to take the diving catch at third slip.
Roach then bowled Najmul Hossain between bat and pad in his next over to increase the burden on the shoulders of Tamim Iqbal. —APP
