Tigers' final-day challenge looks steeper

Bangladesh face an increasingly difficult task to save the second Test against West Indies after the visitors built a substantial lead on the fourth day in Sylhet, leaving the hosts with little room for error in the final day's play.

West Indies ended Sunday on 345 for three in their second innings, stretching their overall advantage to 315 runs. With seven wickets still available, the visitors have the opportunity to add further runs before declaring and setting Bangladesh a challenging target.

Kavem Hodge has been the central figure in the second-innings recovery, remaining unbeaten on 140. Amir Jangoo was not out on 20 at stumps, and the pair will resume their partnership on Monday.
For Bangladesh, the immediate priority will be to take early wickets and prevent West Indies from extending their lead much further. Every additional run could increase the pressure on the home side's batters in the fourth innings.

The hosts had gained a 30-run first-innings advantage after Towhid Hridoy's magnificent unbeaten 242 helped them reach 386 in response to West Indies' 356. That effort had offered Bangladesh an opportunity to put the visitors under pressure, but the momentum shifted during the West Indies second innings.

The final-day equation will depend heavily on how quickly Bangladesh can dismiss the remaining West Indies batters. A prolonged innings from the visitors would leave the home side with less time and a more demanding target.

Bangladesh must therefore combine an early bowling breakthrough with a disciplined batting effort if they are to avoid defeat. After losing the opening Test by eight wickets, another setback would hand West Indies a 2-0 series victory.