Haque’s ton helps B’desh set West Indies 395 target

CHATTOGRAM: Captain Mominul Haque hit his 10th test century and off-spinner Mehidy Hasan continued his good form for Bangladesh on the fourth day of the first test against West Indies on Saturday.

Mominul’s 115—reaching the 3,000 runs milestone in the process — helped Bangladesh set a fearsome 395 runs target for West Indies. That makes back-to-back hundreds after Mominul, who recorded his ninth ton last year against Zimbabwe.

“He has backed it up with another good hundred today,” Bangladesh coach Russell Domingo said. “He has set the game really well for us, so we are very pleased with the way he is playing at the moment.”

At the end of the day, the visitors reached 110-3, with two debutants Kyle Mayers (37) and Nkrumah Bonner (15) batting. Mehidy Hasan (3-52) took all the three fallen wickets.

Resuming the day on 47-3, Bangladesh declared its second innings on 223-8 with Liton Das playing an important role alongside the captain. Das struck 69 and shared 133 for the fifth wicket stand with Mominul to keep the visitors frustrated.

West Indies got a glimmer of hope when off-spinner Rahkeem Cornwall struck early, dismissing Mushfiqur Rahim for 18. Mushfiqur reviewed the decision in vain. With the ball keeping low, Mominul and Liton had to be watchful. Mominul completed his 10th century off 173 balls, pushing the ball toward cover for a quick single.

This made him the highest centurion for Bangladesh, eclipsing opener Tamim Iqbal’s nine tons. The century is also his seventh in Chattogram venue.

Both Mominul and Das fell in the space of five balls in a bid to accelerate the scoreboard.

Shortly after that, Bangladesh declared it innings to give them enough time for ensuring the victory.

Cornwall and left-arm spinner Jomel Warrican grabbed three wickets each.

“I don’t think it would be an easy wicket to bat on the fifth day,” Cornwall said. “The first hour is going to be crucial, and we can take it from there. Once we get past the first hour, we take it session by session, and see how far we can go.”

Brief scores: Bangladesh 430 & 223/8 decl (Mominul Haque 115, Liton Das 69; R Cornwall 3-81, J Warrican 3-57) vs West Indies 259 & 110/3 in 40 overs (K Mayers 37*; Mehidy Hasan 352). West Indies need 285 runs to win.