LONDON, (Reuters) - Bangladesh fought a stubborn rearguard action late on the first day of the second Test against West Indies to reach the close on a creditable 264 for nine at Kingston, Jamaica yesterday.
Wicketkeeper Khaled Mashud (39) and bowlers Mohammad Rafique (30) and Tapash Baisya (34 not out) combined to thwart the West Indies attack after the visitors had been reduced to 152 for seven.
Last man Tareq Aziz (four not out) was batting with Baisya when stumps were drawn at Sabina Park.
Recalled off spinner Omari Banks repaid the faith of the selectors by capturing Test-best figures of four for 80 for West Indies, who looked like they may bowl Bangladesh out for fewer than 150 when they slumped to 97 for five after choosing to bat.
Bangladesh, whose fighting first-test performance prompted West Indies captain Brian Lara to say he would resign if his side could not beat them in Jamaica, began badly.
Left-arm seamer Pedro Collins trapped opener Hannan Sarkar leg before from the first delivery of the match and Bangladesh went on to struggle in the first two sessions, losing wickets at regular intervals.
Habibul Bashar was caught by Banks off Collins for 20 before Javed Omar fell for the same score, offering a catch to wicketkeeper Ridley Jacobs off Fidel Edwards.
Mohammad Ashraful became Banks's first wicket when he was caught by Ramnaresh Sarwan for 16 to leave the visitors on 88 for four, which quickly became 97 for five when Manjural Islam offered a catch to Jacobs off Tino Best for seven.
Rajin Saleh provided the only top-order resistance with a 157-ball 47 before he was caught and bowled by Banks to leave Bangladesh on 152 for seven.
BANGLADESH first innings
Hannan Sarkar lbw b Collins 0
Javed Omar c Jacobs b Edwards 20
Habibul Bashar c Banks b Collins 20
Rajin Saleh c & b Banks 47
Mohammad Ashraful c Sarwan b Banks 16
Manjural Islam Rana c Jacobs b Best 7
Mushfiqur Rahman st Jacobs b Banks 22
Khaled Mashud c Banks b Edwards 39
Mohammad Rafique c Collins b Banks 30
Tapash Baisya not out 34
Tareq Azia not out 4
Extras (lb-7 w-2 nb-12 b-4) 25
Total (for nine wickets, 90 overs) 264
Fall of wickets: 1-0 2-37 3-54 4-88 5-97 6-145 7-152 8-192 9-238