Gabriel pegs hosts back

Chittagong – Shannon Gabriel took four wickets in three overs after Mominul Haque (above) slammed a century on the opening day of the first Test between Bangladesh and West Indies in Chittagong yesterday.

Bangladesh reached 315/8 at stumps, thanks to Mominul’s 120 off 167 balls – his eighth Test hundred. He now shares the record with Tamim Iqbal for scoring the most Test tons for Bangladesh.

It was his fourth century this year – only India’s Virat Kohli has scored as many Test centuries in 2018 so far.

Gabriel ended Mominul’s record innings after the tea break to finish with 4/69 in a devastating spell that also included the prized wickets of Shakib al Hasan (34), Mushfiqur Rahim (four) and Mahmudullah Riyad (three).

Bangladesh seemed to be coasting towards a big total once Mominul brought up his hundred with a six and four in successive overs before the tea-break.

But Gabriel struck back in the final session. He first had Mominul caught behind before successfully reviewing a not out leg-before decision against Mushfiqur Rahim in the same over.

In his next two overs, Gabriel bowled Mahmudullah and Shakib to leave Bangladesh reeling on 235/7, from a solid 222/3.

Left-arm spinner Jomel Warrican bowled Mehidy Hasan for 22 before the Bangladesh tail-enders restored some parity.

Taijul Islam and teenage debutant Nayeem Hasan added 56 runs for the unbroken ninth-wicket stand, guiding Bangladesh past the 300-run mark.

Taijul – who was reprieved twice by the third umpire – was unbeaten on 32 while Nayeem was 24 not out when bad light brought early stumps. –