Spinners torment both sides as Bangladesh struggle in Mirpur

Bangladesh had made a habit of preparing on sporting pitches at home to build the skills needed to win Tests overseas. The approach had brought success, including a historic 2-0 Test series sweep against Pakistan at home in 2026, with victories in Mirpur and Sylhet, and a win over Australia in Darwin, where pace bowling and improved batting against fast bowling played key roles. Yet, against the West Indies in Mirpur, the Tigers have found themselves on a spin-friendly surface reminiscent of the conditions they had been trying to move away from.

The pitch began offering turn towards the end of the opening day, while cracks and low bounce made batting increasingly difficult on the second. By the third day, it had become a minefield, with spinners dominating both teams and batters struggling to survive. The Bangladesh Cricket Board’s strategy has consequently come under scrutiny.

Bangladesh, who finished the first day on 213-3, lost 11 wickets for 293 runs between the two sides on the second day. The third day brought another 12 wickets for 190 runs. At stumps, the hosts were 79-6 in their second innings, leading by 106 runs. Unless they can set a target close to 200, the prospect of defeat will remain a concern.

Bad light and rain have also taken a heavy toll on the match. A total of 16 overs were lost on the first day, 18 on the second and 32 on the third, leaving 66 overs lost so far in the Mirpur Test.

The batters suffered their worst spell during the second session on the third day. Bangladesh lost seven wickets for 59 runs in the first session of the second day, but on Thursday both sides lost eight wickets for just 66 runs in the second session. West Indies added 32 runs while losing four wickets in their first innings, before Bangladesh managed only 34 runs for the loss of four wickets in their second.

The chief tormentors were the two off-spinners, Bangladesh’s Nayeem Hasan and West Indies captain Roston Chase. Nayeem produced an outstanding eight-over spell of 4-19 to help Bangladesh secure a 27-run first-innings lead. But the advantage proved short-lived as Chase’s 10-over spell of 2-25 put the hosts in further trouble.

The West Indies resumed the third day on 134-4 and negotiated the first 10 overs without losing a wicket. Tagenarine Chanderpaul completed his third Test half-century, and his first against Bangladesh, but could not turn it into a bigger score. Shoriful Islam broke the partnership in the 11th over when Chanderpaul edged a fuller delivery outside off stump to second slip. He departed for 56 off 184 balls.

Just before lunch, Nayeem trapped Justin Greaves leg before wicket as the batter failed to keep out a delivery while playing off the back foot. The West Indies went into the break on 213-6.

Nayeem then ripped through the lower order after lunch, with the visitors losing their final four wickets for just 11 runs. Bangladesh secured a 27-run lead, but their own second innings soon unravelled.

The hosts suffered an early setback when Tanzid Hasan was caught at gully off Shamar Joseph for a two-ball duck, attempting to play across the line to a full-length angled delivery.

After the second-wicket partnership ended at 27, Chase took control. The off-spinner claimed four wickets in a spell that saw Bangladesh lose four for just seven runs.

He first bowled first-innings centurion Shadman Islam, with a good-length delivery turning between bat and pad to hit the stumps. Shadman made 13 off 30 balls. Two deliveries later, Towhid Hridoy was caught at mid-on while attempting to play across the line, departing for a two-ball duck.

Chase struck again in his next over, trapping captain Najmul Hossain Shanto leg before wicket with an angled delivery as he tried to defend on the front foot. Shanto made 10 off 37 balls, and a review could not save him.

Left-arm spinner Jomel Warrican added to Bangladesh’s woes, beating Mehidy Hasan Miraz with turn and bounce to bowl him for nine off 32 balls.

Mominul Haque had suffered an injury while attempting to take a catch off Chase at forward short leg from Nayeem’s bowling. He was replaced by concussion substitute Jaker Ali Anik, who was unbeaten on 18 at stumps. Nayeem was also at the crease on 18, and Bangladesh’s hopes on the fourth day will depend heavily on the pair.

Play ended at 3:32pm due to bad light, with Bangladesh 79-6 in their second innings and holding a 106-run lead. How much further they can extend that advantage will go a long way towards deciding the fate of the Mirpur Test.