Amir Jangoo struck an unbeaten century to lead a spirited West Indies recovery as the visitors reached 235-4 on the opening day of the second Test against Bangladesh at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium on Thursday.
Jangoo was unbeaten on 111 off 171 deliveries, striking 11 fours and two sixes, while Justin Greaves remained not out on 35 as bad light brought an early end to proceedings after 70 overs.
The left-handed batter's second Test century proved crucial after West Indies suffered an alarming top-order collapse, losing three wickets for just 27 runs in the opening session. Debutant Kevin Wickham provided the perfect support, scoring a determined 61 off 145 balls in a 131-run fourth-wicket partnership that revived the visitors' innings.
Bangladesh's pace attack made an impressive start after West Indies captain Roston Chase won the toss and elected to bat on a surface offering assistance to the new-ball bowlers.
Taskin Ahmed provided the first breakthrough in the fifth over, bowling Brandon King for nine with a well-directed yorker that rattled the stumps.
Hasan Mahmud followed suit in the next over, removing Kavem Hodge for one with an inswinger that breached his defence to leave the visitors reeling at 14-2.
Taskin then struck again in the ninth over, trapping Joshua Da Silva leg-before for 12 as West Indies slumped to 27-3. Da Silva was featuring in place of Johan Campbell, who missed the match due to viral fever.
However, Bangladesh were unable to capitalise fully on their early dominance, with some costly lapses in the slip cordon allowing the visitors to survive potentially decisive moments.
Wickham, playing his maiden Test innings, initially looked tentative but gradually settled into his role, showing patience and determination against Bangladesh's bowling attack. Jangoo, meanwhile, looked increasingly assured after a disappointing outing in the first Test.
The pair weathered the early pressure and capitalised on opportunities to rebuild the innings. Jangoo brought up his half-century off 86 balls, cutting Nayeem Hasan through deep point for a single, while Wickham reached his maiden Test fifty off 123 deliveries.
Their partnership carried West Indies to 158-3 at one stage and gave the visitors much-needed stability after the early setbacks.
Hasan eventually ended the stand with a well-executed plan against the young debutant. After testing Wickham with a barrage of short deliveries, the right-arm pacer produced a fuller-length delivery that breached his defence and uprooted the off stump, sending him back for a valuable 61.
Wickham's departure left West Indies at 158-4, but Jangoo continued to anchor the innings alongside Greaves, taking the visitors to 180-4 at tea.
After the interval, the 29-year-old Jangoo shifted gears and moved closer to his century with confident strokeplay. He eventually reached the landmark in style, launching left-arm spinner Taijul Islam over long-off for six to bring up his second Test hundred.
Greaves provided steady support at the other end as the pair negotiated Bangladesh's attack through the final session. Two interruptions for bad light eventually forced the umpires to call an early close, with West Indies ending the day on 235-4 after 70 overs.
Hasan and Taskin shared the four wickets evenly, claiming two apiece, while Bangladesh will look to make early inroads on the second morning.
West Indies, who lead the two-match series 1-0 after winning the opening Test, are seeking a series clean sweep. Jangoo's commanding innings and the recovery led by Wickham have put them in a considerably stronger position heading into the second day.
