Nayeem targets 200-run lead

Bangladesh are targeting a 200-run lead to set the West Indies a challenging fourth-innings target on the spin-friendly Mirpur pitch.

The hosts finished the third day on 79-6 in their second innings, with Jaker Ali and Nayeem Hasan sharing an unbeaten 36-run stand. Bangladesh’s overall lead stands at 106, and the remaining batters will look to extend it further.

Nayeem believes a 200-run advantage would put Bangladesh in a strong position.

“I believe Jaker bhai and I can build a big partnership. A 200-run lead would be very good, but we will try to get even more,” he said after the day’s play.

With the ball turning sharply, Nayeem also stressed the importance of keeping the scoreboard moving.

“If we keep the scoreboard ticking, the bowlers will be under pressure,” he said.

West Indies batting coach Floyd Reifer, meanwhile, wants his side to restrict Bangladesh’s lead to 175 runs. He believes the visitors can chase that target on this surface, but they must quickly remove the remaining Bangladeshi batters.

Nayeem played a key role in Bangladesh, securing a 27-run first-innings lead, taking four wickets for 19 runs in eight overs. The spell also saw the off-spinner reach the milestone of 50 Test wickets.

Despite having limited opportunities in his nine-year international career, Nayeem said he had no regrets and wanted to give his best whenever selected.

He also credited captain Najmul Hossain Shanto’s advice for helping him succeed with the ball. Shanto had urged him to keep bowling consistently in the right areas, and Nayeem said that approach had paid off.