WI vs Ban Test 1 Day 3: Kemar Roach's fifer brings West Indies close to win

In the first two days, we saw the West Indies team dominating the opponents with their stunning bowling as Bangladesh was wrapped up at a meagre score in their first innings. Day two was halted at Bangladesh's inning, where the team scored 50 runs in 20 overs for a loss of two wickets. West Indies were in a good hold over the match as they had a massive lead of 163 runs at the end of Day 2. All eyes were now on the 3rd Day as Bangladesh was in a terrible situation. And everyone was hoping for some miracle for the team.

Kemar Roach's five-wicket haul

The third day started quite steadily as Mahmudul Hasan Joy, and Najmul Hossain Shanto resumed the play cautiously to save the team from a collapse. Both were seen struggling against the bamboozling swing and pace of the West Indian bowling line-up. Consequently, in the 29th over, Kyle Mayers got rid of Najmul Hossain Shanto, dismissing him with a surprising bounce which was caught at the first slip by John Campbell. With Shanto's dismissal, the team lost its third wicket at a score of 64. Further, Mominul Haque also failed to withstand against the bowlers as he was sent back at a score of 4. Liton Das was also disappointed as he departed early. 

As all the batters struggled to survive against the opponents, the team's hopes gradually diminished. However, skipper Shakib Al Hasan and Nurul Hasan's astonishing stand of 123 runs gave the team what they desperately needed. The two scored runs all over the ground against all odds! They absolutely outplayed the bowlers while all other players failed to survive. Their partnership played a crucial role in recording a fighting total on the scoreboard and keeping the team in the game. However, as the two were going in a good flow and very well settled on the crease, Kemar Roach trapped Shakib Al Hasan with a length ball, which the batter punched towards the short cover. The short cover fielder Kraigg Brathwaite made no mistake in taking the catch, and thus Shakib Al Hasan was dismissed at a score of 63. He scored this knock-off 99 deliveries with the help of six boundaries. West Indies finally got a breakthrough after 37 overs! Just four overs later, Kemar Roach once again trapped well-settled Nurul Hasan making things more difficult for Bangladesh. Once again, it was his length ball that was bowled outside off, taking a slight edge of the bat. The keeper took an easy catch, shattering the hopes of the visitors. Nurul Hasan scored 64 runs off 147 deliveries along with eleven boundaries. The team was thus in a critical state of 238 for 8. After this wicket, the lower order failed to add many runs to the total. The team was bundled at a score of 245 with a lead of mere 84 runs. 

For West, Kemar Roach completed his fifer with his brilliant bowling performance. Roach conceded 53 runs in his 24.5 overs with ten maidens. Alzarri Joseph clinched three wickets in return for 55 runs in his 19 overs. Kyle Mayers also picked two wickets, leaving no hopes for the opponents. These three bowlers turned out to be a nightmare for the Bangladesh team.

 

Khaled Ahmed gave a challenging start in Indies' 2nd inning.

In their second and final inning, West Indies had to chase the target of just 84 runs to seal the first test. Skipper Kragg Brathwaite, along with John Campell, opened the final inning for the team. However, in the second over itself, Khaled Ahmed picked the big wicket of captain Brathwaite! Ahmed's length delivery angled down the leg side took a faint edge of Brathwaite's willow, and the keeper completed the catch with few efforts. Thus, the team lost its first wicket at one run. In the same over, Ahmed once again shocked the opponents with Raymon Reifer's wicket. The team was now at a score of 3 for a loss of 2. In the 4th over, it was once again Khaled Ahmed who gave another blow with Nkrumah Bonner's dismissal. His stunning delivery rattled Bonner's stumps, leaving no chances for the batter. The team lost its third wicket at nine runs. However, after the three early wickets, Jermaine Blackwood and John Campbell supported the inning with their steady batting. At the end of Day 3, the team is at a score of 49/3, with both Campbell and Blackwood at the crease. The team needs just 35 runs now, and their win seems quite apparent. Only some miracle can help the visitors, or the West Indies will quickly seal the match on the fourth day.