ST JOHN’S, Antigua (CMC) — West Indies remained firmly in control of the first Test after the third day, with Bangladesh reaching 269 for 9 at stumps, still trailing by 181 runs at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium here on Sunday.

Bangladesh had hoped to build steadily on a slow pitch but, as in the first innings, failed to produce a major individual contribution. Jaker Ali and Mominul Haque both got fifties, but neither could continue, while Litton Das fell to 40. The seventh-wicket pair of Ali and Taijul Islam put on a crucial 68 runs, helping the Bangladesh to cross the follow-up target of 251 late in the match. day.

Resuming on 40 for 2, the morning started quietly for Bangladesh, with Mominul hitting two boundaries off Shamar Joseph to get things going for the visitors. However, soon after, West Indies struck when Kemar Roach removed Shahadat Hossain for 18.

Mominul and Litton Das worked through the first session and went to lunch at 105 for three. But the home side would get the breakthrough shortly after the break when Jayden Seales trapped Mominul lbw for a hard-fought 50.

Mehidy Hasan Miraz was tested with a barrage of bouncers during the West Indies attack, with Alzarri Joseph even hitting him on the shoulder. Seales and Shamar Joseph joined in and although Mehidy hit a few boundaries, the pressure mounted.

After facing 67 balls, he finally fell to a bouncer from Alzarri Joseph, which he bowled to Mikyle Louis at short for 23.

Litton, who looked steady, fell soon after, bowled by a short delivery from Shamar Joseph which he dragged onto his stumps for 40. His departure, along with that of Mehidy, left Bangladesh in dire straits. deep problems with exposed tail.

Enter the unlikely pairing of Jaker Ali and Taijul Islam who staged a spirited fightback, adding 68 runs for the seventh wicket.

But just when it looked like they might take Bangladesh to safer ground, Joseph removed Taijul for 15 and then Seales caught Jaker in the deep off Justin Greaves for 50.

There was a brief exchange of words between Joseph and Taskin Ahmed after Joseph hit the Bangladeshi man on the head with a bouncer. However, despite the tension, Joseph was unable to complete his work as the light faded, and Bangladesh held on for the day.

Taskin will resume on the penultimate day on the 11th and Shoriful Islam on the 5th as Alzarri Joseph has so far taken three wickets for 69 runs with Seales scoring 2 for 42.

DASHBOARD

WEST INDIES

Kraigg Brathwaite (c) lbw b Ahmed 4

Mikyle Louis c Hossain b Miraz 97

Keacy Carty c Taijul Islam b Ahmed 0

Kavem Hodge short of 25

Alick Athanaze c+Das b Taijul Islam 90

Justin Greaves not absent 115

Joshua DaSilva lbw b Hasan Mahmud 14

Alzarri Joseph c Zakir Hasan b Hasan Mahmud 4

Kemar Roach by Hasan Mahmud 47

Jayden Seales c Hasan Mahmud b Mehidy Hasan Miraz 18

Shamar Joseph not absent 11

Extras (b7, lb17, nb1) 25

TOTAL (nine wickets; 144.1 overs) 450

Fall of wickets: 1-25, 2-25, 3-84, 4-224, 5-228, 6-253, 7-261, 8-401, 9-438

Bowling: Mahmud 27-3-87-3, S Islam 18-4-53-0, Ahmed 26-3-76-2, T Islam 38-7-111-1, Miraz 35.1-5-99-2.

BANGLADESH

Mahmudul Hasan Joy c Athanaze b Alzarri Joseph 5

Zakir Hasan b Seales 15

Mominul Haque lbw Seales 50

Shahadat Hossain c Hodge b Roach 18

Litton Das+ b S Joseph 40

Mehidy Hasan Miraz (c) c Louis b A Joseph 23

Jaker Ali c Seales b Greaves 53

Taijul Islam b A Joseph 25

Hasan Mahmud c Athanaze b Strikes 8

Taskin Ahmed not absent 11

shoriful Islam is not released 5

Extras (b1, lb8, nb6, w1) 16

TOTAL (nine wickets; 98 overs) 269

Fall of wickets: 1-20, 2-21, 3-66, 4-128, 5-145, 6-166, 7-234, 8-246, 9-257.

Bowling: Roach 15-4-30-1, Seales 17-7-42-2, A. Joseph 25-7-69-3, S. Joseph 17-3-55-1, Hodge 8-0-21-0 , Athanaze 5-0-9-0, Strikes 11-0-34-2.

Referees: Kumar Dharmasena, Nitin Menon.

TV referee: Asif Yaqoob.

Reserve referee: Deighton Butler.

Match referee: Jeff Crowe