Lower order gives Hridoy crucial support

Bangladesh's lower order played an important supporting role as the hosts recovered from a difficult position to secure a 30-run first-innings lead over West Indies in the second Test in Sylhet.

After slipping to 88 for three in reply to West Indies' 356, Bangladesh needed contributions from the remaining batters to build a competitive total. Towhid Hridoy led the recovery with an unbeaten 242, but he was not left to carry the innings entirely on his own.

Mushfiqur Rahim provided some resistance with 34 before his dismissal, while Mehidy Hasan Miraz added 16. The lower order then chipped in, with Taijul Islam scoring 22 and Taskin Ahmed contributing 12 to help Bangladesh reach 386 for nine in 111.5 overs.

Hasan Mahmud made one, while Shadman Islam remained absent hurt. Although the contributions were modest individually, they helped Bangladesh extend their innings and move beyond the visitors' first-innings total.

The effort was particularly valuable after the hosts had lost three early wickets. Hridoy's remarkable innings remained the centrepiece, but the support from the batters around him gave Bangladesh a narrow advantage after a challenging start.

West Indies were seven without loss in their second innings at stumps on the third day, still trailing by 23 runs.