Rain and a wet outfield disrupted the start of the second Test between Bangladesh and the West Indies at Sabina Park, Kingston. The first two sessions were wiped out, leaving only 45 overs to be bowled in three hours.
However, poor light further shortened the day, with only 30 overs completed before stumps. Rain looms as a consistent threat throughout the match.
West Indies, fresh from a commanding 201-run victory in the first Test in Antigua, fielded an unchanged XI.
Fast bowler Kemar Roach gave the hosts a dream start, dismissing Mahmudul Hasan Joy (3) and Mominul Haque (0) early in the innings. Both fell to edges behind the stumps, leaving Bangladesh struggling at 2-10.
However, the visitors found a semblance of recovery thanks to a few missed opportunities by the West Indies fielders. Opener Shadman Islam was dropped twice, once on 15 and again on 35.
Kraigg Brathwaite surpasses Garfield Sobers with a record of 86 consecutive Test matches.He capitalized on these chances to reach an unbeaten 50 off 100 balls at stumps. Shahadat Hossain, also given a reprieve after a dropped catch in the slips, ended the day on 12 off 63 balls.
Roach, who led the West Indies’ charge, praised the pitch, saying, “The pitch here is very good for batting, it hardens as the Test goes on. The key is consistency.” He described the day as balanced, with two early wickets setting the tone.
Captain Kraigg Brathwaite achieved a historic milestone during the match, surpassing the legendary Garfield Sobers by playing his 86th consecutive Test match.
Brathwaite, who debuted in 2011, hasn’t missed a Test since 2014. Reflecting on his achievement, he said, “It means a lot. In this generation with so much T10 and T20 cricket, Test cricket is the real test.
In the end, I will feel like I’ve done a really good job for the West Indies.”
At stumps, Bangladesh crawled to 2-69, facing a daunting challenge against a disciplined West Indies attack and unpredictable weather conditions.