Dhaka:Opener John Campbell struck a fluent half-century as West Indies made a strong reply to reach 89-1 at tea on Day 2 of the opening cricket Test against Bangladesh at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium today.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, Campbell raised his sixth Test half-century with a towering six off Mehidy Hasan Miraz through the long-on region, leading the charge and remaining not out on 53 when bad light forced an early tea session. Tagnarine Chanderpaul was on 21 alongside Campbell at the crease after sharing 60 runs for the second wicket.
After bowling out Bangladesh for 272, the West Indies made a fluent start with Campbell particularly showing his acumen against the spinners. Pacer Hasan Mahmud provided Bangladesh their only success in the bad-light-impacted session by dismissing Brandon King for 15. Campbell and Chanderpaul, the son of West Indies great Shivnarine Chanderpaul, saw out the rest of the time without further trouble.
Earlier, resuming the day at 213-3, Bangladesh experienced a sensational collapse, losing their last seven wickets for 59 runs in the morning session to be all out for 272. Left-arm spinner Jomel Warrican was the wrecker-in-chief, claiming 5-53 to hasten Bangladesh's collapse.
Shadman Islam, who was stranded on 99, reached his third century off 221 balls with doubles off Joshua Bishop in the second ball of the innings. Soon after, Bishop, the left-arm spinner, reviewed successfully to remove Shadman for his debut wicket and followed it up with the wicket of Towhid Hridoy by delivering an excellent straighter, ending his debut innings with 2-61.
Hridoy, who was forced to leave the ground yesterday with a muscle cramp, returned to resume batting after Shadman's dismissal but couldn't add any run to his 42. After his dismissal, Bangladesh suddenly found themselves in an awkward situation, reeling to 221-5, but Liton and Mehidy Hasan Miraz looked solid at the crease, offering the side some hope.
Warrican turned one sharply to rattle the stump of Miraz, dismissing him for 15. Shamar Joseph, who ended with 2-41, dealt a double blow with the wickets of Nayeem Hasan and Hasan Murad. Warrican came back to complete his fourth five-wicket haul by dismissing Taijul Islam and Shoriful Islam as Bangladesh lost their last five wickets for 19 runs, leaving Liton stranded on 34 at the other end.