Tamim helps Bangladesh to a decent start

Bangladesh stalwart Tamim Iqbal played some exquisite shots as he helped the Tigers get off to a solid start on the opening day of their second and series-deciding Test against West Indies at the Daren Sammy National Cricket Stadium in Gros Islet today.

The left-handed opener, however, will be gutted to have not batted the entire morning session as a rare loose shot saw him get caught at cover point off an Alzarri Joseph delivery with around 10 minutes left to lunch. Tamim departed after a 67-ball 46 as Bangladesh reached 77 for two at lunch on Day 1. 

But till he threw his bat at an angling away delivery, Tamim barely put a step wrong. The elegant left-hander flicked a Kemar Roach delivery off his pads through midwicket for a boundary to open his account. He then followed it up with a gorgeous drive through the cover in the next over of Roach for another boundary. 

Tamim looked to be in his element throughout his knock, pouncing on anything that was loose and wide. The left-hander smashed a total of nine boundaries and was looking to be headed towards a much bigger score. 

Tamim also stitched together a 41-run opening stand with Mahmudul Hasan Joy, who struggled a bit before departing for a 31-ball 10. 

Najmul Hossain Shanto, who has been going through a lean patch, has moved to 16 off 45 deliveries. And with him in the middle is Anamul Haque, who is playing a Test after over seven years and is currently unbeaten on 5.