Towhid Hridoy’s double century and fifty help Bangladesh secure Test draw

Sylhet (Bangladesh): Towhid Hridoy scored 82 as Bangladesh salvaged a draw against the West Indies in the second cricket Test on Monday.

Hridoy, who struck an epic 242 not out in the first innings, steered the side to 184-4 before bad light forced an early end to play, with Bangladesh chasing 369 for an unlikely victory.

With this, Hridoy became the first Bangladeshi batter to score a double century and a half-century in the same Test.

The West Indies, who won the series 1-0 following their eight-wicket victory in the first Test, declared their second innings at 398-6 after resuming Day 5 at 345-3.

That left Bangladesh two and a half sessions to chase down the target.

Overnight unbeaten batter Kavem Hodge added just two runs before being dismissed for 142, while Amir Jangoo, who scored 133 in the first innings, remained unbeaten on 39.

Bangladesh spinners shared all six wickets to fall, with Taijul Islam, Nayeem Hasan and Mehidy Hasan claiming two wickets each.

Bangladesh, however, made a shaky start to their chase as opener Tanzid Hasan Tamim was dismissed for 21 after holing out, before Jomel Warrican trapped captain Najmul Hossain Shanto leg-before for 14.

With Bangladesh reeling at 40-2, the West Indies sensed an opportunity to push for victory, but Hridoy and Mushfiqur Rahim combined for a 135-run third-wicket partnership to dash the visitors’ hopes.

The pair remained unbeaten throughout the second session, making a West Indies victory unlikely.

Left-arm spinner Warrican dismissed Hridoy to break the partnership in the final session and finished with figures of 3-44, while Shamar Joseph sent back Mushfiqur for 49.

During his innings, Mushfiqur completed 7,000 Test runs, becoming the first Bangladeshi batter to reach the milestone.

Bad light, however, brought an end to the game with Litton Das (7) and Mehidy Hasan (1) at the crease.

Earlier in the Test, the West Indies were bowled out for 356 in their first innings, with Bangladesh pacer Hasan Mahmud claiming an impressive 6-90.

Hridoy then produced a career-defining innings of 242 not out to lift Bangladesh to 386, securing a 30-run first-innings lead.