By BV Swagath
Bangladesh are on verge of putting up their highest ever total in Test Cricket after ending the third day’s play at a superb 455 for 6. The Tigers are just 33 more runs away from equaling their previous highest total which came against Zimbabwe in 2005. As far as the opening Test is concerned, the hosts are trailing by just the 72 runs with some useful batting left in the tank.
Resuming Day 3 at 164 for 3 in 36 overs, Bangladesh saw through the morning session without losing a single wicket. After lunch, overnight batsman Shakib Al Hasan (89 from 143 balls with 10 fours and a six) got caught at covers off Rampaul to end what was a long 4th wicket stand of 167. His overnight partner Naeem Islam went onto register a maiden Test century. Naeem Islam got caught behind off Sammy having scored 108 (from 255 balls with 17 fours) while leaving Bangladesh safely at 362 for 5 in the 98th over a few minutes after Tea.
Skipper Mushfiqur Rahim hung in there usefully to score a 97-ball 43 before he became the first test scalp for debutant left-arm spinner Veerasammy Permaul. Bangladesh got another fine partnership going, that of 87 runs for the unbroken 7th wicket between Nasir Hossain (33* from 75 balls with a four and a six) and Mahmudullah (42* from 79 balls with 3 fours and a six) to continue frustrating the Windies right till the end of the day’s play.
