Windies made to work on first day

CHITTAGONG, Bangladesh (CMC):

A composed, unbeaten half-century from captain Mushfiqur Rahim underpinned a measured Bangladesh effort as they kept West Indies busy in the field on the opening day of the first Test here yesterday.

The right-hander cracked 68 to fire his side up to 255 for four at the close, after they opted to bat first at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium.

Opener Tamim Iqbal chipped in with 52 while Raqibul Hasan (41) and Shakib Al Hasan (40) played supporting roles, as the Tigers batted in partnerships to frustrate the Windies bowlers.

Off-spinner Marlon Samuels was the most successful West Indies bowler with two for 67.

The hosts lost Imrul Kayes for 10 inside the first hour, when he nicked pacer Ravi Rampaul behind to wicketkeeper Carlton Baugh at 26 for one.

However, Shahriar Nafees shaped up well in scoring an uptempo 21 from 18 balls but his innings was ended prematurely when he was struck in the face by a short ball from speedster Fidel Edwards.

Setback

He had stroked four boundaries and added 32 for the second wicket with Tamim when he missed a pull at a quick one and left the ground with blood dripping from his face at 58 for one.

Bangladesh recovered well from the setback, however, as Raqibul and Tamim then combined to add a further 52 for the second wicket.

While Tamim hit five fours in an innings spanning 141 balls and 170 minutes, Raqibul counted three fours off 92 balls in 193 minutes at the crease.

They pushed Bangladesh past the 100-run mark before Tamim gifted his wicket, sweeping at Samuels and top-edging to Kraigg Brathwaite at midwicket with the score on 110 for two.

Mushfiqur, who has so far faced 144 balls and hit five fours, then anchored two successive partnerships which were crucial in bolstering Bangladesh's middle order.

He put on 49 for the third wicket with Raqibul before posting a crucial 79 for the fourth wicket with Shakib.