Staff reporter:
Bangladesh pacer Hasan Mahmud believes the hosts are in position to take a lead in the first innings of the second Test against West Indies to further bolster their chance to level the series, following an eight-wicket defeat in the first match.
He hoped that the ongoing partnership between Mushfiqur Rahim and Towhid Hridoy would help the hosts erase the deficit.
“If Mushfiq bhai and Hridoy can continue this partnership, I think we can reach their total. Hopefully, even if we cannot take a substantial lead, we can at least cover the deficit,” Hasan said after Day 2 play.
He shined in with bowling to claim 6-90, a performance that helped Bangladesh back into the contention when West Indies were seemingly toward a big first innings total.
However, Hasan’s stellar bowling show eventually bowled West Indies out for 356 and Bangladesh ended the day at 88-3, with Hridoy batting on 29 with Mushfiqur on 19.
Hasan added that Bangladesh’s fast bowlers follow different strategies with the new and old balls.
“We look to exploit swing and seam movement with the new ball, focus on controlling the scoring rate and building pressure through partnership bowling once the ball gets older.”
