Tamim, Miraz depart as Windies end Day 2 on a high

With two crucial wickets in the final session of the day's play, West Indies ended the second day of their first Test against Bangladesh on a high note at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in Antigua today.

But given how Bangladesh's top-order fared in their recent outings, the Tigers would probably be more than happy to not lose more wickets after coming in to bat in the final hour of the day's play.

Bangladesh suffered three horrible top-order meltdowns in their last three Test innings, but at least that was not the case on Saturday as Bangladesh managed to score 50 for two at stumps on Day 2. Mahmudul Hasan Joy and Najmul Hossain Shanto, both of whom were unable to open their accounts in the first innings, remained unbeaten with scores of 18 and 8 respectively to their names. 

Keeping in mind the fragility of the Tigers' top-order, it can be said that Bangladesh, however, are far from being in a comfortable position in the Test as they still trail by 112 runs. 

Opener Tamim Iqbal was looking to get into the groove but yet again departed after getting a start. The left-hander, who opened his account with a drive through cover for a boundary off a Kemar Roach delivery, was looking comfortable out in the middle till he decided to defend an Alzarri Joseph delivery that was going away from his body only to edge one back to the wicketkeeper, who dove brilliantly to his left to take the catch. Tamim departed after a 31-ball 22. 

The Tigers' team management then decided to promote Mehedi Hasan Miaz to number three, probably in their attempt to prevent yet another top-order collapse. But, Miraz, who was sent down to hold down the fort at least till the end of the day, also departed to a Joseph delivery as he edged a length delivery straight back to first slip. 

Miraz, however, was the hero for Bangladesh with the ball in hand earlier. It was his four-for that helped the Tigers get through the lower-middle order of the Windies batting line up to have the hosts bundled out for 265 in the first innings.