Photo: Collected
Sadman Islam, unbeaten on 99 the previous day, completed his century on the second day. But apart from Liton Das, could any of his teammates stand by him? Bangladesh’s batting line-up came crashing down. Losing wickets at regular intervals, the hosts were bowled out before reaching 300. The last seven wickets fell for 51 runs.
On the first day of the first Test, which began at Mirpur yesterday, Bangladesh had made 213 for three in 74 overs. That did not mean the team was fully in the driver’s seat. Still, interim batting coach Mohammad Salah Uddin had held out the dream of 400 runs. His charges could not repay that faith; losing their last seven wickets for 51, Bangladesh were stopped at 272.
Sadman reached three figures off the second ball of the second day. He took two runs by pushing Joshua Bishop to mid-on off the second ball of the 75th over of the innings. It was his third Test century. On reaching the milestone, the left-handed batter took off his helmet and performed sijdah on the pitch. After his Test century against Zimbabwe in Chattogram in April last year, Sadman has now reached three figures at Mirpur.
After the century, however, he could not extend his innings. Joshua Bishop trapped him lbw off the fifth ball of the 77th over, and Sadman also wasted a review before leaving. It was Bishop’s first wicket in international cricket – he made his international debut in the Mirpur Test.
Sadman made 105 off 234 balls with 11 fours. As soon as he was out, Bangladesh’s innings began to crumble. Hridoy had left the field on 42 yesterday; returning today, he could not add a single run. He was bowled trying to cut a Bishop delivery off the back foot. His 42 came off 86 balls with three fours.
Fans and supporters were hoping for a big score from Liton Das and Mehidy Hasan Miraz. But the sixth-wicket partnership between the two middle-order batters did not go beyond 32 runs off 71 balls. Miraz (15) headed for the dressing room after being bowled by a delivery from Jomel Warrican that came in.
Battling an elbow injury and leg cramps, Liton held one end and played on alone. He did not get enough support from the other end. The home tail-enders gave the West Indies fielders catching practice, throwing away their wickets by playing down the wrong line. In the end, Warrican wrapped up the innings by dismissing Taijul Islam and Shoriful Islam off the third and fourth balls of the 98th over.
Lunch on the second day was called as soon as Bangladesh were all out for 272 in 97.4 overs. Warrican took five wickets for 53 runs in 23.4 overs; it was the fourth time the West Indies left-arm spinner has taken five wickets in a Test innings. The pacers shared the remaining five wickets – Bishop and Shamar Joseph two each and Seales one. Coming in at No 6, Liton remained unbeaten on 34 off 88 balls with four fours.
Background
According to a Wisden report of 25 October 2026, the second Test of the two-match series will be held at Sylhet International Cricket Stadium from 5 to 9 November.
This is West Indies’ first tour of Bangladesh since 2021, when they won the Test series 2-0, Wisden said in the same report. Before this series, Bangladesh’s last Test was a one-off match against Afghanistan in the United Arab Emirates, which ended in a draw.
By the numbers
According to a UNB report of 29 April 2025, Sadman Islam scored 120 against Zimbabwe in the Chattogram Test, which was his second Test century and his first at home.
At a glance
According to Wisden, Roston Chase is leading West Indies in this series, with Jomel Warrican as vice-captain.
Sources
Background sources: Wisden, 25 October 2026; UNB, 29 April 2025
