Sports Desk:

Bangladesh’s gritty batting effort ensured they avoided the follow-on before bad light prematurely ended play on the third day of the first Test against the West Indies in Antigua on Sunday.

Resuming the day on 40 for two in reply to the West Indies’ formidable 450/9d, Bangladesh crawled to 269/9, surpassing the follow-on target but still trailing by 181 runs.

Kemar Roach struck early, dismissing Shahadat Hossain for 18.

However, Mominul Haque, in partnership with Liton Kumer Das, steadied the innings with a 62-run stand for the fourth wicket. Mominul reached a hard-fought half-century off 115 balls but was trapped leg-before by Jayden Seales the very next delivery.

Liton contributed 40 before chopping on to Shamar Joseph.

Skipper Mehidy Hasan’s dismissal for 23, caught at short leg off Alzarri Joseph, left Bangladesh struggling at 166 for five, staring at the prospect of a follow-on.

Jaker Ali and Taijul Islam then provided resistance, adding 68 for the seventh wicket.

Jaker, who had scored a fifty in his Test debut against South Africa in October, recorded his second half-century before falling for 53 to medium-pacer Justin Greaves, whose unbeaten 115 had been the highlight of the West Indies’ innings.

Alzarri Joseph, the pick of the West Indies bowlers with 3 for 69, returned to dismiss Taijul for 25. Despite a late effort from Taskin Ahmed and Hasan Mahmud to push Bangladesh past the follow-on mark, the visitors face an uphill battle to save this first Test of the two-match series.