WI vs BAN 2nd Test Day 5: Mushfiqur Reaches 7,000 Runs as Match Ends in Draw

SYLHET: A record-breaking batting masterclass from Towhid Hridoy and milestone-man Mushfiqur Rahim guided Bangladesh to safety as the WI vs BAN 2nd Test Day 5 action culminated in a tense stalemate.

Chasing a target of 369 runs, Bangladesh reached 184 for 4 before fading natural light forced the umpires to call off the remaining play early. Consequently, the WI vs BAN 2nd test ended in a draw, allowing the West Indies to secure a hard-fought 1-0 victory in the two-match Test series following their initial win in Dhaka.

The final morning began with the West Indies looking to rapidly build upon their overnight lead. Kavem Hodge fell early for a spectacular, career-best 142, caught at fine leg off Nayeem Hasan. Following rapid wickets and some late-order pyrotechnics from Joshua Bishop, who clattered two sixes in an 11-ball cameo of 20, West Indies captain Roston Chase declared the second innings at a commanding 398 for 6.

Tasked with a steep defensive assignment across more than two full sessions, Bangladesh’s second-innings chase began with early tremors. Left-arm spinner Jomel Warrican ripped through the top order before the lunch break, quickly sending back opening batter Tanzid Hasan for 21 and trapping captain Najmul Hossain Shanto lbw for 14 after a successful visual review.

Plunged into a precarious situation at 40 for 2, Bangladesh found their saviours in the reliable duo of Towhid Hridoy and Mushfiqur Rahim. The pair constructed a rock-solid 135-run partnership for the third wicket that completely blunted the Caribbean bowling attack. 

Hridoy, who had already smashed a legendary 242 in the first innings, continued his spectacular form with 82 off 140 deliveries. In doing so, Hridoy became the first Bangladeshi batter to accumulate more than 300 runs in a single Test match, cementing his status as the Player of the Match.

At the other end, veteran stalwart Mushfiqur Rahim provided exceptional defensive support, scoring a patient 49 runs off 123 balls. During his resilient stance, Mushfiqur achieved a monumental milestone, becoming the first-ever Bangladeshi cricketer to cross 7,000 career runs in Test cricket, sparking joyous celebrations across the Sylhet venue.

As the final session progressed into the evening, the atmospheric conditions worsened. Sensing the lack of safe visibility, umpires Nitin Menon and Asif Yaqoob conducted an official light reading, ultimately deciding to remove the bails. The teams shook hands as the official declaration echoed across the stadium. 

While Bangladesh took immense heart from their gritty final-day survival block, the West Indies celebrated a well-earned away series victory, with spinner Jomel Warrican collecting the Player of the Series award for his tournament haul of 16 wickets.