Nayeem explains nine-year wait behind Taijul and Miraz to reach 50 wickets, wants lead pushed to 200

Nayeem Hasan needed almost nine years to collect 50 Test wickets, and on Saturday in Mirpur he finally got there, finishing the day with four for 33 in the first innings and an unbroken stand in the second innings.

Debuting in 2017, Nayeem drifted in and out of the side, playing here after another long gap. At the press conference he stayed diplomatic.

“There is greater trust in Miraz bhai and Taijul bhai. That is why I have received fewer opportunities.”

He is not giving up hope. “Now, Inshallah, if I continue to perform like this in the future, they will start believing in me as well. Then they will give me more opportunities to bowl, Inshallah.”

Selection, he said, is out of his hands. “Look, that is not in my hands. Whenever I get an opportunity, I try to give my 100 per cent.”

Captain Najmul Hossain Shanto gave him a long leash from the start of the day. “Shanto bhai told me, ‘Keep bowling in one area. You will bowl throughout the day. Even if you bowl badly, you will bowl throughout the day.’”

The turn helped him. “The ball was turning before lunch. I bowled and took wickets. Miraz bhai told me, ‘I’ll take two, you take two, and together we’ll get four. We won’t give any to Taijul bhai.’ Later, he said, ‘You’ve already taken three.’”

Asked about the dropped chances at silly point, he defended his team-mates. “Catches at silly point are very difficult. In my eyes, Sourav bhai is the best fielder in the world at silly point. Everyone gives their 100 per cent effort. These things happen.”

Mominul Haque was hit on the head and is under medical care. “Sourav bhai was hit on the head. The medical team is looking after him. We will be informed later.”

On Towhid Hridoy’s dismissal while going for a big shot, he chose his words carefully. “Actually, I don’t know what was going through his mind, brother. I didn’t see what was happening in the dressing room because I was getting ready.”

Bangladesh finished on 79 for six, 106 ahead, after losing six wickets for 53 runs. Twelve wickets fell on a turning pitch, and Nayeem and Jaker Ali added an unbroken 26 from 44 balls before bad light stopped play.

Nayeem walked in at 53 for six with no set plan. “There was no particular plan. I tried to react according to the type of delivery I received. We have to look to score runs on this pitch because the ball is turning. If you keep the scoreboard moving, the bowler will be under pressure.”

Bangladesh want to set West Indies a fourth-innings target of 200. “A total of 200 would be very good, Inshallah. We will try to score even more.” He declined to name a number for restricting the opposition. “I don’t want to set any target at this point.”