Shakib leads the way as Tigers keep fighting

Skipper Shakib Al Hasan and wicketkeeper-batter Nurul Hasan Sohan keep Bangladesh's hopes alive as the duo strung together a century stand to help the Tigers avoid an innings defeat in their first Test against West Indies at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in Antigua today. 

Bangladesh did not lose any wicket in the afternoon session, the first time in the Test that a session went wicketless, as the Tigers reached 210 for six at tea, leading by 48 runs. 

It, however, is too early to say that Bangladesh are out of danger. In fact, the Tigers are very far from it. However, with how things went in the afternoon session, Bangladesh can definitely hope to salvage a respectable outcome from the game. 

Skipper Shakib has led the way for the Tigers with the bat, notching his third consecutive fifty in the format. This was also the fourth time Shakib reached a score of fifty or more twice in a Test match. The 35-year-old, who never shied away from playing his shots, brought up his 29th Test fifty off 82 deliveries. He remains unbeaten on 53 off 88 deliveries. 

Shakib was ably supported by Sohan in the middle. The wicketkeeper-batter took some time but finally managed to get into the groove, playing more freely as the session went by. With eight boundaries to his name, Sohan has moved to 49 off 107 deliveries and is likely to bring up his second Test fifty when play resumes post-tea.