Bangladesh batters show grit, but work remains

Bangladesh's Test batting performances across the year left plenty of room for concern ahead of the ongoing first Test against the West Indies in Antigua. Yet, the Tigers showed resilience, battling through 98 overs with one wicket still standing at the close of day three on Sunday.

Remarkably, barring the two Tests against Pakistan in Rawalpindi -- leading to Bangladesh's only series win this year -- this marks only the seventh instance in the preceding 15 innings where they have lasted at least 50 overs.

In six innings this year, Bangladesh have been unable to play out 50 overs. Their biggest innings so far came in Rawalpindi, scoring 565 runs in 167.3 overs -- an effort that set up the win in the first Test. Across the four innings against South Africa in the last series, they played 50 overs just once, indicating the challenges the batting unit has faced in the Test circuit.

Thus, without Mushfiqur Rahim, Najmul Hossain Shanto, and Shakib Al Hasan, it took a big effort from the rest of the line-up to negotiate the searing pace of Alzarri Joseph, Jayden Seales, and company.

Mominul Haque led the way with a fifty off 116 deliveries. He and Liton Das put on 62 for the fourth-wicket stand. Before that, Mominul ensured the Dukes ball lost some shine, contributing to a 45-run stand off 129 deliveries with Shahadat Hossain Dipu.

Mominul left well, though shorter deliveries occasionally put him in awkward positions. Jaker Ali took on the pressure, scoring 53 during a crucial 68-run stand with Taijul Islam to help the visitors avoid the follow-on, leaving the Windies pacers frustrated.

Bangladesh eventually reached 269 for nine, trailing by 181 runs -- before declaring at the start of the fourth day yesterday -- but no one delivered a defining knock, as Mikyle Louis and Justin Greaves did for the home side.

Mominul, having done the hard work, played across the line and was trapped leg-before by Seales. Both he and Liton looked comfortable after settling in, but Liton, having reached 40 with ease, attempted a short-arm jab, only for the ball to cramp him for room and the resulting inside edge crashed into the stumps.

In the context of their recent two series in the Caribbean, the Tigers have delivered their best batting effort here. However, the dismissals of set batters highlight the need for greater focus if they are to save the Test match.