BAN vs WI: Amir Jangoo’s unbeaten 111 leads West Indies revival from 27-3 vs Bangladesh

Amir Jangoo scored an unbeaten 111 on the first day of the second Test between West Indies and Bangladesh. | Photo Credit: AFP

Amir Jangoo’s century against Bangladesh helped the West Indies recover from an early collapse to reach 235-4 on day one of the second Test on Thursday.

Jangoo led the charge with an unbeaten 111 and his 131-run partnership with debutant Kevin Wickham was critical for the visitors after they were 27-3.

Wickham made 61. Jangoo reached stumps — called for bad light — with Justin Greaves on 35. They combined for 77 in the last 19.5 overs.

“Amir batted very well,” Wickham said. “For most of my innings he was guiding me and telling me that this is what Test cricket is all about — staying patient.

“The bowling is much more consistent, so I just trusted my defense, and I think that worked very well for me. Kudos to Jangoo for a brilliant hundred. It’s just about playing your natural game.”

West Indies captain Roston Chase won the toss and decided to bat first but the decision appeared to backfire when the Bangladesh pacers put the visitors in trouble inside the first nine overs.

Taskin Ahmed, one of the two changes by Bangladesh following an eight-wicket defeat in the first Test, and Hasan Mahmud shared the four wickets.

Taskin dismissed Brandon King on 9 in the fifth over and Hasan flattened the middle wicket of Kavem Hodge on 1 in the sixth over.

Joshua Da Silva survived a few close calls before Taskin trapped him leg-before for 12, reducing West Indies to 27-3.

Also read | India vs Sri Lanka 1st ODI moved from Delhi to Visakhapatnam

“Personally, I felt that having another fast bowler could have made our bowling unit stronger, particularly in the morning,” Taskin said.

“However, it is a very good batting wicket, and everyone could understand later that batting became easier. But if we can do something extraordinary in the first hour tomorrow morning and utilise the moisture, an early collapse is possible.”

Jangoo joined Wickham and they dealt with the fired-up Bangladesh attack with strong resolve.

While newcomer Wickham from Barbados was the epitome of patience, Jangoo had aggressive intent with 11 boundaries and two sixes.

Wickham raised his fifty off 123 balls with a single against off-spinner Nayeem Hasan.

He fell into trap set by pacer Hasan, who unsettled him with a barrage of bouncers before delivering a perfect length ball to dismiss him, bringing an end to the 131-run partnership with Jangoo just before tea.

But Jangoo continued attacking the bowlers and brought up his century from 149 balls with a six off left-arm spinner Taijul Islam. It was his second century in his 10th ever innings. He was out for a duck in the first Test.

Greaves supported Jangoo brilliantly in a 62-ball knock, as bad light allowed only 15 overs in the last session.