Sylhet:West Indies batters mounted a strong comeback in the second and final Test against Bangladesh with a determined performance at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, Kavem Hodge was nearing a century on a pitch still favorable for batting, elevating West Indies to 259-2 at tea on Day 4 and extending their lead to 229 runs. At the second interval, Hodge was batting at 93 alongside debutant Kevin Wickham, who remained not out on 63 after scoring his second fifty in the same Test on debut.
The duo maintained an unbroken third-wicket partnership of 140 runs throughout the post-lunch session. West Indies, resuming at 7 for no loss, made a solid start with Brandon King aggressively reducing the 30-run lead Bangladesh had, courtesy of Towhid Hridoy's monumental 242 not out. However, left-arm spinner Taijul Islam broke through by dismissing Joshua Da Silva, ending an 85-run opening partnership as Da Silva fell for 35.
Mehidy Hasan Miraz then dismissed King for 61 off 84 balls, which included 10 fours and a six. Despite these setbacks, Wickham and Hodge countered effectively by sweeping the spinners, setting up a hopeful strong target for Bangladesh in the fourth innings.
Earlier, Hasan Mahmud took 6-90 to help Bangladesh bowl out West Indies for 356 in the first innings, before Hridoy's record-breaking 242 not out guided Bangladesh to 386 before they were all out.