Bangladesh set to step into a league they would want to follow-on

Back in November 2000, Bangladesh played their maiden Test match against India at Bangabandhu Stadium in Dhaka under the leadership of Naimur Rahman. The Tigers lost by nine wickets, but a new chapter had already begun in their cricket. 18 years down the line, Bangladesh aren’t the most formidable team going around, but their strengths aren’t worth undermining by any means.

Thus far, they have played 112 Tests and have only won 12 of them while losing 83 of the contests. In the last few years, the team has strengthened their armoury and have become a force to reckon with especially in home conditions. Currently, they are playing a two-match Test series against Windies, which they are currently leading 1-0 with the second encounter taking place in Dhaka.

A unique record on the cards

In the meantime, Shakib Al Hasan and Co have a chance of creating a unique record. In their history, Bangladesh have never made a team follow-on in a Test match. The hosts have a chance to do so in the ongoing contest at Sher-E-Bangla National Stadium. The Tigers racked up a massive 508 runs courtesy of a century from Mahmudullah and fifties from Shakib, Liton Das, and Shadman Islam.

After scoring those runs, the spinners, especially Shakib and Mehidy Hasan Miraz wreaked havoc and reduced the Caribbean team to 75/5. Most importantly, the Windies still require 233 runs in the first innings in order to avoid the follow-on. Albeit Shimron Hetmyer and Shane Dowrich have put forth a 46-run stand, it seems unlikely that the Windies would be able to avoid the follow-on.

Moreover, the last two of their recognised batsmen are in the middle and the visiting team may end up conceding a lead of way more than 200. Moreover, they also have become the only team to get the top five batsmen bowled in the history of Test cricket. As far as the Test match is concerned, Bangladesh are in a commanding position and the Windies need to pull a rabbit out of the hat.

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