BAN vs WI 1st Test Day 1: Shadman Islam Unbeaten on 99

DHAKA: Left-handed opener Shadman Islam anchored the hosts with a disciplined performance, though he was left agonizingly stranded one run short of a milestone when bad light brought an early end to BAN vs WI 1st Test Day 1 at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Mirpur. 

Opting to bat first, Bangladesh closed the day at 213/3 after 74 overs, with Shadman unbeaten on 99 alongside a returning Litton Das (10*).

The morning session presented testing conditions as the West Indies new-ball attack, spearheaded by Shamar Joseph and Jayden Seales, extracted variable bounce and probing seam movement. Seales delivered the initial breakthrough by tempting Tanzid Hasan (7) into a loose drive, resulting in a clean edge to the slip cordon. 

Unfazed by the early loss, Shadman displayed exemplary leave-awareness outside the off-stump, partnering with veteran Mominul Haque to steady the ship. The duo shared a vital 59-run second-wicket stand, absorbing the pressure before left-arm spinner Jomel Warrican broke through. Mominul tossed away his start for 28, slicing a Warrican delivery straight to mid-off.

West Indies fought back post-lunch when Caribbean skipper Roston Chase successfully reviewed an lbw decision against Najmul Hossain Shanto, removing the Bangladesh captain for 19 as he attempted a paddle sweep off Warrican. 

Despite the wickets tumbling around him, Shadman stood firm, selectively punishing loose deliveries to celebrate Shadman Islam's half-century, his 10th in Test cricket, reached via a single off Seales in the 35th over.

He found an energetic ally in Towhid Hridoy. Playing with intent, Hridoy added a brisk 42 before severe cramps in the stifling Dhaka humidity forced him to be stretchered off the field, cutting short an otherwise seamless 88-run partnership. 

As the afternoon progressed, Shadman accelerated toward triple figures, hitting 10 boundaries during his 219-ball stay. However, nature intervened just as history beckoned. A fading evening sky prompted the umpires to halt play twice during the final session. 

When stumps were officially drawn, Shadman was left on a nerve-wracking 99*, forced to wait until Day 2 to secure his third Test hundred. For the visitors, Warrican was the pick of the bowlers with figures of 2/33, leaving the match finely poised ahead of the second morning.