Bangladesh fought back with three crucial late wickets, but the West Indies maintained the upper hand when rain and bad light brought an early end to a compelling second day of the first Test match in Mirpur on October 29, 2026. After the hosts were bowled out early in the day for 272, the West Indies reached 134 for 4, trailing Bangladesh by 138 runs with six wickets remaining in their first innings.
The visitors were initially propelled by a stellar bowling performance from left-arm spinner Jomel Warrican, who claimed 5 for 53, and a resolute half-century from opener John Campbell. However, a spirited fightback spearheaded by Taijul Islam and Mehidy Hasan Miraz before the weather intervened ensured that Bangladesh remained very much in the contest as the players left the field at the Shere Bangla National Stadium.
The turning point of the afternoon session arrived shortly after a rain interruption. Mehidy managed to dismiss the well-set Campbell with a smart delivery, though the primary talking point was an extraordinary reflex catch by Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto at slip. Campbell, who had looked untroubled for the most part, poked tentatively at a delivery that slanted across him, generating a thick outside edge. Shanto reacted instantly, leaping sharply to his left to pluck a stunning one-handed catch out of the air. The breakthrough provided the hosts with the exact momentum shift they desperately craved, breaking a stubborn 61-run partnership for the second wicket between Campbell and Tagenarine Chanderpaul.
Taijul then compounded the West Indies’ troubles by striking twice in the same over. Mominul Haque, fielding alertly at silly mid-off, bent down exceptionally low to intercept a defensive push from Kavem Hodge. Moments later, Amir Jangoo attempted a sweep, hitting the ball down to deep square-leg where Tanzid Hasan safely pouched a straightforward catch. In the space of a few frantic overs, the West Indies slipped dramatically from a commanding 90 for 1 to 97 for 4, squandering the strong foundation laid by their top order.
Faced with a sudden collapse, Chanderpaul and Justin Greaves steadied the ship. The pair formed an unbroken 30-odd-run stand to guide the tourists safely through the remainder of the afternoon before umpires officially called off play around 4:35 pm local time due to fading light. Chanderpaul remained unbeaten on 43, playing a patient and disciplined knock that featured six boundaries, while Greaves contributed 15 not out off 22 balls, ensuring no further damage was done before stumps.
While the afternoon belonged largely to the shifting fortunes of both bowling and batting units, the defining narrative of the morning session was an astonishing collapse by the home side. Resuming the second day from a comfortable overnight position of 213 for 3, Bangladesh suffered a dramatic implosion, losing their last five wickets for just 19 runs to slide from 253 for 5 to be bowled out entirely for 272. In total, the hosts managed a meager 59 runs while losing seven wickets during a chaotic opening session.
Left-arm spinner Warrican and debutant Joshua Bishop spearheaded the West Indian bowling attack, combining effectively to dismantle the remaining Bangladesh batting order. Bishop triggered the morning slide by claiming the prized wicket of Shadman Islam, shortly after the left-handed batsman had successfully reached a magnificent and well-deserved third Test century. Towhid Hridoy, who had returned to the crease after retiring hurt on the first evening, lasted only two deliveries in the morning session before playing a loose, low-percentage shot to a full ball from Bishop that crashed directly into his stumps.
Warrican then capitalized on the mounting pressure, extracting sharp turn to beat Mehidy’s defensive press and rattle the stumps. Shamar Joseph joined the wicket-taking procession by removing Nayeem Hasan and Mahmud in quick succession. The innings was wrapped up swiftly when Warrican trapped Taijul Islam lbw and bowled Shoriful Islam off successive deliveries, capping off a disastrous morning session for the hosts where they folded in a heap.
When the West Indies began their response, they showed positive intent by scoring a few early boundaries, though they also enjoyed a considerable share of good fortune. Campbell endured a couple of nervous moments early in his innings; he was dropped on 5 by Nayeem Hasan at point and was given a second life on 22 when Shoriful Islam failed to hold onto a difficult return catch.
Brandon King, the other West Indian opener, was unable to capitalize on the reprieve, falling victim to a Hasan Mahmud delivery that pitched and wobbled sharply away from the right-hander, leaving substitute wicketkeeper Jaker Ali with a regulation catch behind the stumps.
Despite the early setback, Campbell played aggressively, driving the ball fluently whenever width was offered, while Chanderpaul anchored the innings with a couple of crisp early boundaries. The momentum seemed firmly with the visitors when Campbell struck Mehidy for a towering six and a four off successive deliveries. However, deteriorating natural light soon forced the umpires to call an early end to the second session, setting the stage for a tense and fascinating third day in Mirpur once weather and visibility permit play to resume.
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