Windies buoyed, Tigers cautious
The fourth day of the second Test between Bangladesh and West Indies has potential to be the most important day of the game, with both sides looking to cash in on opportunities to swing the match in their favour.
Bangladesh were bundled out for 296 in their first innings, handing the visitors a 113-run lead. But the West Indies also find themselves in a spot of bother after falling to 41 for three at the end of the third day. Despite that, the visitors are in the driving seat with a 154-run lead in their second essay with two more days to go.
Rahkeem Cornwall, who scalped his second five-wicket haul in Test cricket, said that they were eying a target of around 400 runs.
"I think we are slightly in the driver's seat. Tomorrow is an important day for us. We just have to bat well in the first hour. We have to be in a reasonable position at lunch so that we can set a reasonable target for Bangladesh. We can have a run at Bangladesh at the end (of the day). Anything over 400 will be comfortable for us," Cornwall said.
The big man, who has been devastating with the ball and was instrumental in bundling Bangladesh out below 300, added that his patience had been the key to the success.
"The plan was to keep things simple, be patient, and put balls in the right areas. I think the way our batsmen set up the game the day before, we knew that the bowlers had to do a good job today. The ball bounces a bit more in Dhaka. There was not much bounce or spin in Chattogram. I got a bit more purchase here. I work with what I get. Whatever pace I get out of the wicket, I use it as my strength," he said.
On the other hand, off-spinner Mehedi Hasan Miraz -- who became the quickest Bangladeshi to 100 Test wickets yesterday -- informed that it would be a difficult task even if Bangladesh managed to pack up the visitors below 200 runs.
"It will be difficult to score runs, especially on the fifth day after coming into bat in the fourth innings. Maybe it was easy to bat in the first innings, but that will change in the second innings. Our main goal is to dismiss them early and I think if our bowlers can bundle them out between 150-200 then there might be a chance for us. But it will be difficult to chase a target around 300. However, I believe that the presence of the senior players in the side can help us and anything can happen in cricket."
Comments