Mehidy Hasan took a 3/52 in the fourth innings, outlining the West Indies ’top order, putting Bangladesh in a strong position on day four in Chattogram.
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The West Indies went to stumps at 110/3, needing an additional 285 for victory.
After another brilliant performance by Mehidy, Nkurmah Bonner (15 *) and Kyle Mayers (37 *) dropped an acre and scored 51 runs for the fourth wicket, ensuring the visitors lost no more wickets.
Earlier, West Indies openers Kraigg Brathwaite and John Campbell safely cleared the difficult pre-tea period, getting 18 runs in seven innings. They proceeded in the same careful manner as the last session.
However, Mehidy finally broke through their defenses when he eliminated Campbell for 23 in the 17th over. Campbell, who opposed the umpire’s decision on the field, was caught in front while trying to sweep.
Two goals later, Mehidy scored Brathwaite for 20, a simple catch that replaced Yasir Ali at the short leg, while the visitors slipped to 48/2. The partnership between Sheyne Moseley and Bonner lasted just 10 runs as Mehidy was the third victim.
However, fighting sensibly, Bonner and Mayers established the visitors ’texture and showed good intentions, ensuring that the West Indies are still in a chance on the final day.
Bangladesh got involved at the start of the fourth day when Mushfiqur Rahim fell for 18 to Rahkeem Cornwall but not before he shared a 40 run stand with captain Mominul Haque.
For Mominul, running came easily as he paired effortlessly with Liton Das and continued to push Bangladesh further. They already had a big lead of over 200 and it was up to the two bats to make sure there was enough ball.
The West Indies, looking for wickets, reconsidered an uncontested decision against Liton in the 33rd over for a catch at a slope. However, retrospectives showed that the bat had lost the ball and was well on the lbw check as well.
The goalkeepers kept working but at lunchtime, the two Bangladeshis had scored 76 for the fifth wicket with Mominul heading into his first try.
The second session was just as fruitful for Bangladesh as they took easy strikes off the West Indies. Liton, in particular, played the part of the attacker and played a few scratches to maintain the scoring level. He soon gave up the sixth fifty test. Some time later, it was Mominul’s turn to pick up the bat. The guest captain completed his 10th ton in Trials – passing Tamim Iqbal to record the most centuries in Bangladesh form.
After passing over 200, the two bats died in succession. The first Liton was taken off by Warrican for 69 when he tried to sweep back. It was followed by Mominul in the next step when the Bangladesh skipper was caught in the middle of a wicket off Shannon Gabriel for 115.
The next two wicks of Mehidy and Taijul Islam fell in quick succession and Bangladesh proved on 223/8, setting a target of 395 for the West Indies.