West Indies strengthened their command over the second Test in Sylhet, closing Day 4 on 345 for 3. This performance leaves the tourists with a significant lead of 315 runs as they look to dictate terms in the final day of play.
- Kavem Hodge headlined the innings with a composed, unbeaten 140.
- Brandon King contributed a quick-fire 61 to set the tone early in the day.
- Debutante Kevin Wickham impressed with a solid 63 before falling late in the proceedings.
The visitors lost only three wickets throughout the day, with a 158-run partnership between Hodge and Wickham for the third wicket proving pivotal. This alliance established a firm foundation before the umpires called an early end to play due to fading light.
Resuming from 7 for 0, West Indies started fluently. Brandon King and Joshua Da Silva shared an 85-run opening stand. King played with high intent, frequently challenging the spinners and punishing loose deliveries from the seamers. Although the pitch occasionally offered low bounce and minor movement, the pair remained largely untroubled until Taijul Islam trapped Da Silva lbw for 36 during the second hour. King continued his aggressive streak, racing to a 62-ball half-century, while Hodge provided steady support. Their partnership was interrupted when Mehidy Hasan Miraz induced an edge from King, resulting in a sharp catch by Najmul Hossain Shanto at slip. King, meanwhile, continued his attacking approach as he brought up a 62-ball half-century, and Hodge gave good support from the other end. With Najmul Hossain Shanto holding a good catch at slip, they added 34 before Mehidy Hasan Miraz got one to drift across him and take the outside edge. Although there was occasional movement and bounce, bangladesh’s pacers struggled with their lines and lengths. But the batters largely looked comfortable, some deliveries also kept low. Who found more turn by bowling slower after Lunch, but were largely unable to trouble them consistently, both batters were positive against the spinners. However, the pair negotiated those passages well and continued to build. Taking West Indies past 300, while Amir Jangoo offered steady support at the other end, hodge continued to score freely.
Following lunch, Hodge and Wickham took control. Both batters successfully navigated the turning ball as the spinners slowed their pace. Hodge reached his fifty, while Wickham showcased his talent during a promising debut, eventually bringing up his second half-century of the match. The partnership proved frustrating for Bangladesh, whose fielding lacked precision, allowing the visitors to steadily expand their lead past 200.
As the match progressed, Wickham displayed a versatile range of strokes, including a crisp six against Taijul. Simultaneously, Hodge crossed the milestone of 1,000 career Test runs. While Taijul and Taskin Ahmed occasionally threatened with sharp turn and low bounce, the duo managed these challenges effectively. By Tea, the West Indies had reached 259 for 2, with the partnership having moved past 140. With Hodge unbeaten on 30, hodge and Wickham took West Indies to Lunch at 128 for 2.
In the final session, Hodge reached his third Test century. The record-breaking partnership was finally broken when Wickham, looking to work the ball, edged it to Taijul in his follow-through. Despite this loss, Hodge continued to score freely alongside Amir Jangoo. The pair added 61 runs before the fading light forced the umpires to take the players off the field. Brief scores: West Indies 356 & 345/3 (Kavem Hodge 140*, Kevin Wickham 78, Brandon King 61; Taijul Islam 2-118) lead Bangladesh 386 by 315 runs. With Hodge and Wickham extending their third-wicket partnership past 100, west Indies consolidated their position in the second session. With Hodge and Wickham extending their third-wicket stand past 150, west Indies continued to dominate after Tea. With stumps being called a short while later, the umpires called for a lightmeter reading and subsequently took the players off.
