A seven-wicket haul by Enamul Haque Jr. brought Bangladesh A back into the four-day game as the West Indies High Performance side were scuttled out in 44 overs for a mere 144 runs on the second day of the 4-day match at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium yesterday. In reply, the home-side took a lead of 140 runs and reached stumps on the second day with the score on 88 for 3.
The slow left-arm bowler, who is battling to win a place in the national team, ran through the batting order as the West Indian batsmen found it difficult to read the spinner. Enamul, who finished the day with figures of 7 for 45 in 19 overs, bowled with a lot of flight and kept the close-in catchers on their feet throughout the innings.
“I just bowled in the right areas and waited for them to commit mistakes. The pitch is a little different compared to the one in Khulna. This one has a little more turn in it and they failed to adjust to it,” said Enamul. “This West Indies side is very young and will need time to adjust to the pitches here,” he added.
Earlier, the visiting side, resuming on their overnight score of 14 without loss, lost opener Trevon Griffith in the eighth over, caught off Enamul. Andre Fletcher scored a quick 50 for the visitors before being trapped in front by spinner Saqlain Sajib. The fall of the second wicket led to a collapse for the West Indian batsmen as they lost their next eight wickets for 60-odd runs. The home side took a first-innings lead of 52 runs.
The visitors, however, fought back almost immediately as both Bangladesh openers were sent back cheaply in the second innings. The home side was staring at a similar collapse before skipper Rokibul Hasan and youngster Mominul Haque steadied the ship. Mominul, however, paid the price for playing one shot too many as he was caught behind after scoring a 26-ball 27. Naeem Islam and the skipper ensured that there were no further hiccups and played out the rest of the day.
SCORES IN BRIEF
BANGLADESH A: First innings 199 all out in 87.1 overs (Mominul 50, Rokibul 32; Cotterrell 4-15, Warrican 2-32). Second innings 88 for 3 in 46 overs (Mominul 27, Rokibul 21; Brathwaite 1-14, Permaul 1-13).
WEST INDIES HP: First innings 147 all out in 43.5 overs (Fletcher 51, M Barclay 22; Enamul 7-45, Saqlain 2-43).
-With The Daily Star input
