Taskin Strikes Twice as Bangladesh Rock West Indies Early in Sylhet Test

Bangladesh made a flying start to the second Test against West Indies in Sylhet on Thursday, striking three times in the first nine overs before the visitors fought back to reach lunch on 86 for 3. West Indies captain Roston Chase won the toss and chose to bat, but his top order quickly came unstuck. Taskin Ahmed, recalled in place of Shoriful Islam, provided the first breakthrough in the fifth over, bowling opener Brandon King for nine with a full delivery that swung sharply back in and crashed into middle and leg stump. Hasan Mahmud then bowled Kavem Hodge for one in the next over, and Taskin struck again to trap Joshua Da Silva leg before wicket for 12, leaving West Indies reeling at 27 for 3. Debutant Kevin Wickham and wicketkeeper Amir Jangoo led the recovery, adding an unbeaten 59 runs for the fourth wicket to take the visitors safely to the interval, with Jangoo on 32 and Wickham on 27. Bangladesh had an early let-off to rue, with Shadman Islam dropping Da Silva at slip in the third over when West Indies were on five. The hosts, who also welcomed back Mushfiqur Rahim after a finger injury, must win this match to level the series after West Indies won the first Test in Dhaka by eight wickets. The second Test runs from November 5 to 9 at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium.