Greaves, Roach frustrate Tigers with record stand

West Indies' overnight batter Justin Greaves and tail-ender Kemar Roach stitched together a record eighth-wicket stand against Bangladesh on Day 2 of their first of two Tests at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in Antigua today. 

After pacer Hasan Mahmud removed wicketkeeper-batter Joshua Da Silva (14 off 23) and Alzarri Joseph (4 off 3) in successive overs early on the day, Greaves and Roach frustrated the Tigers with a stand that is now the highest for the eighth wicket in Tests against Bangladesh -- surpassing a 108-run partnership between Travis Friend and Heath Streak in a Test against Zimbabwe in Dhaka in 2001.

After 125 overs, West Indies accumulated 371 for seven with the partnership between Greaves and Roach reaching 110 off 232 deliveries. Greaves, who is approaching his maiden Test ton, remains unbeaten on 84 off 146 deliveries, while Roach scored 31 not out off 121 deliveries as rain halted proceedings. 

The rain-stoppage, however, did not last long as the play was able to be resumed after just about four minutes.  

Hasan's early spark in vain

Bangladesh bowlers were right on point from the beginning of the second day of the first Test against hosts West Indies in Antigua on Saturday, led by pacer Hasan Mahmud striking early with a double breakthrough.

However, the hosts managed a steady recovery after the setbacks, with lower-order resistance ensuring they ended the opening session on 336 for seven in their first innings.

Resuming on 250 for five, West Indies were quickly put on the back foot as Hasan dismissed wicketkeeper-batter Joshua Da Silva (13) leg before in the first over of the day. He followed up by removing new batter Alzarri Joseph (four) in the next over, courtesy of Zakir Hasan grabbing a brilliant diving catch at gully, as the scorecard read 261 for seven.

With Da Silva's departure, Hasan Mahmud took his total of Test wickets this year to 24, setting a new record in a calendar year for a Bangladeshi pacer, surpassing Shahadat Hossain's 23 wickets in 2008.

Making the second new ball talk, tail-up Hasan -- who has taken consecutive five-wicket hauls against Pakistan and India this year -- almost claimed his third wicket in the same over when he trapped Kemar Roach in front. However, the review upheld the umpire's not-out decision.

Overnight batter Justin Greaves, playing his third Test, was not out on 63 after reaching his maiden fifty in the format, while Roach provided solid support during his unbeaten 19.

Mahmud makes early inroads

Hasan Mahmud dealt a double blow as Bangladesh looked to wrap up West Indies' first innings early on the second morning of the first Test in Antigua on Saturday.

The right-arm pacer trapped Windies wicketkeeper Joshua Da Silva (14) in the first over of the day, with the second new ball only five overs old. Da Silva was trapped in front and the umpire raised his finger, the review returning umpire's call on impact.

Mahmud then removed Alzarri Joseph in his next over, Zakir Hasan taking a superb catch at gully. It was his 25th wicket of the calendar year, most by a Bangladeshi pacer, surpassing 23 by Shahadat Hossain in 2008.

Mahmud could have a third in the same over when he trapped Kemar Roach in front, but the umpire did not raise his finger this time and the review returned umpire's call. 

Having started the day at 250 for five, West Indies were 261 for seven within three overs.