Towhid Hridoy produced a historic innings to put Bangladesh in a strong position on the third day of the Sylhet Test, but the West Indies responded positively on the fourth morning with an aggressive opening stand.
After Bangladesh recovered from a difficult start thanks largely to Hridoy’s remarkable 242-run knock, the hosts secured a 30-run first-innings lead. The West Indies then closed the third day on 7 without loss, setting the stage for an important fourth-day battle.
Resuming play on Sunday, the Caribbean side launched a strong counterattack. Openers Joshua Da Silva and Brandon King added a brisk 85-run partnership, putting early pressure on the Bangladesh bowling attack.
Bangladesh’s spinners, particularly Taijul Islam and Mehidy Hasan Miraz, had faced criticism for ineffective bowling on spin-friendly conditions in Mirpur earlier in the series. However, Taijul provided the breakthrough when he trapped Da Silva leg-before wicket for 36 runs, ending the opening partnership.
By then, the visitors had already established a lead of 55 runs.
Despite losing his opening partner, Brandon King continued to dominate and brought up the sixth Test fifty of his career. Teaming up with Kavem Hodge, he maintained the scoring rate and kept Bangladesh under pressure.
Bangladesh received another much-needed breakthrough before lunch when Mehidy Hasan Miraz dismissed King for 61 runs. Attempting a defensive shot on the front foot, King edged the ball off the outside of his bat, with Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto taking a catch in the slip cordon.
The wicket broke a promising 34-run second-wicket partnership and provided the hosts with some relief before the interval.
At lunch on Day Four, the West Indies were 128 for 2 after 34 overs, with Kavem Hodge unbeaten on 30 and Kevlon Wickham yet to score. The visitors held a significant lead and appeared well placed, but Bangladesh remained hopeful of making further inroads during the afternoon session.
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