Hasan and Co maintain keen focus on length

At the end of the opening day of the first Test against the West Indies, Bangladesh were probably left wondering whether they were able to fully capitalise on the conditions in Antigua even as their three pacers in Taskin Ahmed, Hasan Mahmud and Shoriful Islam did not leave many stones unturned in their venture for wickets.

Despite the best of efforts, Taskin was the only successful pacer on Day 1, pocketing a couple of wickets in the morning session while Hasan and Shoriful had nothing to show for in the wickets' column.

West Indies reached 250 for five at close of Day 1, owing to Mikyle Louis and Alick Athanaze's contributions of 97 and 90 respectively. The hosts had the upperhand heading into the second day with the visitors needing a few early inroads to swing the balance and thankfully for them, Hasan did exactly that.

After bowling 16 unsuccessful overs in the previous day, Hasan struck twice in his first two overs on Day 2, removing overnight batter Joshua Da Silva (14) and Alzarri Joseph (four), to reduce the hosts to 261-7.

With his first wicket, a ball that came in sharply and crashed into Da Silva's pads to trap him lbw, Hasan became the most successful Bangladeshi pacer in a calendar year in Tests with 24 scalps in eight matches. The right-arm pacer surpassed Shahadat Hossain, who had taken 23 wickets in 2008.

Hasan and his opening ball partner of the day Taskin pretty much started from where they had left off the previous day, zeroing in on the good length.

According to statistics from the broadcasters, on Day 1, 69 percent of the deliveries from the three seamers had landed between 6-8 metre length, better known as the good-length area.

Taskin, having tested the openers with good-length deliveries, produced the first wicket on Day 1, pushing in an in-dipper at four-metre length and skipper Kraigg Brathwaite was caught on his crease, given out leg-before.

Taskin then bagged the second with another full-length delivery to remove Keacy Carty for naught to leave West Indies at 25 for 2.

From that point on, West Indies' batters grinded through two sessions and once Louis and Athanaze got the measure of the conditions, the runs started to flow as the third session produced 134 runs.

But with the ball zipping around, Louis in particular having opened the batting, was seen fishing outside his off stump well into his nineties, looking increasingly nervous.

Skipper for the match Mehedi Hasan Miraz had dropped Louis on 90 off Taijul Islam but made up for his error by sending back the right-hander in the 75th over, breaking a 140-run fourth wicket stand.

Just when West Indies appeared to be completely seizing the day, Louis fell trying to clear the ropes against Miraz and Athanaze, who had started his innings with some ill-advised slogs and was almost caught by Taskin Ahmed, soon gave away his wicket to Taijul.

Just like opening day, Bangladesh pacers started well on Day 2, but if the bowlers fail take wickets later in the day, the hosts would wrest back the control of the game again.