Pacer Gabriel hits back after Mominul hundred
MOMINUL HAQUE struck his eighth Test hundred to equal the most for Bangladesh, but West Indies hit back strongly in the final session to grab a share of the honours on the opening day of the first Test here yesterday.
Opting for first knock at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium, Bangladesh ended on 315 for eight, an innings built on left-hander Mominul’s 120 – his fourth century this year and third in successive innings at the venue.
Fellow opener Imrul Kayes hit a battling 44 while captain Shakib-al-Hasan chipped in with 34 and tail-ender Taijul Islam, an unbeaten 32.
Bangladesh were well poised on 216 for three at tea, but speedster Shannon Gabriel, who went wicketless for the opening two sessions, wrecked the middle and lower order to finish with four for 69.
Left-arm spinner Jomel Warrican supported with two for 62 as the tourists clawed their way back into the contest after the hosts dominated.
West Indies struck with just the third ball of the morning when left-hander Soumya Sarkar (0) got one from seamer Kemar Roach which straightened and nicked a defensive
SCOREBOARD
prod behind with a single run on the board.
However, Mominul then settled down to anchor the innings, inspiring a succession of strong partnerships to give Bangladesh the advantage.
First, he posted 104 for the second wicket with Imrul, who lived a charmed life in an 87ball knock that included five fours.
Imrul, also a left-hander, was dropped on three by Roston Chase at second slip off Roach in the fifth over and survived another chance on 16 when he swept Warrican and was caught by Gabriel at deep square, only for replays to show that the bowler had overstepped.
He was denied a fifth Test half-century, however, caught at short leg by Sunil Ambris off Warrican in the final over before lunch.
On 105 for two at the interval, Bangladesh lost just one wicket in the second session as Mominul impressively marched to triple figures.
All told, the 27-year-old faced 167 balls and counted 10 fours and a six – a loft over wide long on off leg-spinner Devendra Bishoo, which took him to 98.
Importantly, Mominul added a further 48 for the third wicket with Mohammed Mithun (20) before putting 69 for the fourth wicket with Shakib as Bangladesh prospered.