Heavy rain washed away the opening session of second day’s play in the Bangladesh-West Indies first Test, providing the visitors some much-needed relief at St Vincent on Saturday.
The Tigers were facing an uphill task after West Indies ended the opening day’s play at 264-3, thanks to an unbeaten 123 of opener Kraigg Brathwaite, who looked poised for big innings.
Shivnarine Chanderpaul, playing his 157th Test, the most by a left-hander, was accompanying him for one.
West Indies were hoping to build on the total, having completely dominated Bangladesh’s innocuous bowling attack on the first day that could create only handful of chances.
Debutant Taijul Islam was the pick of the bowlers with 2-69 while Shubhagoto Hom claimed 1-76.
Bangladesh’s woes were compounded as two catches went down with Rubel Hossain dropping Chris Gayle off his own bowling before Mushfiqur Rahim dropping Braithwaite on 113 off Shubhagoto.
A light passing shower halted the play three overs before the schedule stump on the opening day before rain came down heavily overnight to prevent further play in the morning.
The rain was so heavy that the authority had to suspend flight operations at the nearby airport in St. Vincent. Sensing no play at least until the late second session, two teams preferred to stay at the hotel till the afternoon.
Play finally resumed at 1:30pm as West Indies reached 344-3 at tea. Rubel Hossain had a lbw appeal turned down against Chanderpaul while Bangladesh lost a review appeal for a caught behind against the same batsman.
Braithwaite was batting on 166 with Chanderpaul 27 not out at the break.
-With New Age input
