Bangladesh Narrowly Avoids Follow-On as WI Dominate

The West Indies bowling unit maintained their grip on the Antigua Test, leaving Bangladesh struggling at 269 for 9 at stumps on day three, trailing by 181 runs. Although Bangladesh managed to avoid the follow-on in the final hour, they remained under pressure after a commanding performance from the hosts. 

Bangladesh’s innings lacked the kind of standout performance seen in the West Indies first innings, where their batters registered substantial scores. Mominul Haque and Jaker Ali each reached half-centuries but fell soon after, while Litton Das contributed 40 before dragging a delivery onto his stumps. A crucial 68-run partnership between Jaker and Taijul Islam for the seventh wicket helped the visitors cross the follow-on mark of 251. 

West Indies bowlers kept the pressure throughout. Alzarri Joseph and Jayden Seales consistently troubled the batters, with Joseph taking three wickets. Kemar Roach dismissed Shahadat Hossain early, and Seales trapped Mominul lbw after the left-hander reached his 21st Test fifty. 

Late in the day, Taijul and Jaker attempted to stabilise the innings against a tiring attack, surviving dropped chances and finding occasional boundaries. Jaker reached his fifty with a pull shot but fell attempting a big hit off Justin Greaves. 

The West Indies maintained their momentum from a strong first-innings total of 450 for 9 declared, led by contributions from Greaves, Mikyle Louis, and Alick Athanaze. Heading into the penultimate day, the hosts remain in control, hoping for clear skies to push for a result.