Spinners torment both sides as Bangladesh struggle in Mirpur

Bangladesh’s decision to move away from spin-friendly home pitches in favour of sporting surfaces had brought encouraging results, including a historic 2-0 Test series sweep against Pakistan in 2026 and a victory over Australia in Darwin. However, against the West Indies in Mirpur, the Tigers have found themselves struggling on a turning track.
After finishing the first day on 213-3, Bangladesh and the West Indies lost 11 wickets for 293 runs on the second day. Another 12 wickets fell for just 190 runs on Thursday, leaving the hosts at 79-6 in their second innings at stumps, with a lead of 106 runs. Bangladesh will need to stretch that advantage towards 200 to have a realistic chance of defending it. Bad light and rain have also disrupted proceedings, with 66 overs lost across the first three days — 16 on the opening day, 18 on the second and 32 on the third.
The second session on Thursday proved particularly difficult for both batting line-ups. The two sides lost eight wickets for just 66 runs, with the West Indies adding 32 for the loss of four wickets before Bangladesh managed only 34 for the loss of four.
The chief destroyers were Bangladesh off-spinner Nayeem Hasan and West Indies captain Roston Chase. Nayeem claimed 4-19 in eight overs to give the hosts a 27-run first-innings lead, but Chase responded with 2-25 from 10 overs to leave Bangladesh in deep trouble.
The West Indies resumed on 134-4 and initially negotiated the morning session comfortably. Tagenarine Chanderpaul completed his third Test half-century, and first against Bangladesh, but Shoriful Islam ended his resistance when the left-hander edged a fuller delivery to second slip for 56 off 184 balls.
Nayeem then trapped Justin Greaves leg before wicket shortly before lunch, leaving the visitors at 213-6. The off-spinner completed his damage after the break, as the West Indies lost their final four wickets for just 11 runs.
Bangladesh's second innings, however, quickly unravelled. Tanzid Hasan fell for a two-ball duck to Shamar Joseph before Chase took charge, triggering a collapse of four wickets for seven runs.
Chase first bowled first-innings centurion Shadman Islam for 13 before Towhid Hridoy was caught at mid-on for a duck two deliveries later. He then trapped captain Najmul Hossain Shanto leg before for 10, with a review failing to save him.
Left-arm spinner Jomel Warrican added to the hosts' misery, bowling Mehidy Hasan Miraz for nine with turn and bounce.
Bangladesh also suffered a setback when Mominul Haque sustained an injury while attempting a catch at forward short leg. He was replaced by concussion substitute Jaker Ali Anik, who remained unbeaten on 18 alongside Nayeem, also on 18. Play ended at 3:32pm due to bad light, with Bangladesh facing a difficult task on the fourth day. Their hopes of avoiding defeat will largely depend on how much further Jaker and Nayeem can extend the lead.