Resolute Shadman, Hridoy frustrate West Indies in second session

Shadman Islam and Tawhid Hridoy held firm in the second session on a first-day pitch already offering turn, steering Bangladesh to Tea on 177-2 in the first Test against West Indies at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Mirpur on Wednesday.

Opening the innings, Shadman has remained the only constant of this Bangladesh innings, unbeaten on 79 while Tawhid Hridoy is also looking set on 36, closing in on his maiden half-century in Tests.

Jomel Warrican claimed the lone success of the session – his second in the innings so far – when he removed Bangladesh skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto on 19.

Bangladesh resumed the second session’s play on 96-2, with Shadman and Shanto unbeaten on 42 and 15, respectively.

Shadman carried on from where he had left off in the first session, slowly accumulating runs on a first day pitch that posed some challenges, with the odd ball turning sharply.

Shanto’s stay didn’t extend much longer, as he was struck on the pads by Jomel Warrican and was given his marching orders by the third umpire after a West Indian review.

Tawhid, who replaced the injured Mushfiqur Rahim in the match, then came to the middle.

Hridoy held back his natural aggressive instinct, and along with Shadman, formed a solid stand that frustrated the visitors.

The right-and-left hand combination worked well as the pair added 67 runs till the end of the session.

Earlier, Bangladesh won the toss and opted to bat first.