Nov 23, (V7N) - A sloppy bowling performance by Bangladesh on Day 1 of the two-match Test series opener at Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in Antigua allowed West Indies to recover from a shaky start and reach 250-5 at stumps.

Fast bowler Taskin Ahmed struck early, reducing the hosts to 25-2 in the first session. However, the Bangladesh bowlers, including Taskin, couldn't maintain the same intensity throughout the day, allowing West Indies to claw their way back into the match.

Bangladesh captain Mehidy Hasan Miraz, leading the side in the absence of injured Najmul Hossain Shanto, won the toss and elected to field, hoping his fast bowlers would capitalize on early pitch conditions. The West Indies, however, weathered the early storm.

Openers Mikyle Louise and Kraigg Brathwaite started cautiously, with Brathwaite struggling to score. Taskin broke the deadlock when he trapped Brathwaite leg-before for just 4 runs. His next over saw Keacy Carty dismissed for a duck, leaving West Indies in trouble at 25-2.

Despite the early setbacks, Louise and Alick Athanaze put together a crucial partnership. Louise, in particular, played a patient knock, facing 218 balls for his 97, including nine boundaries and one six. Athanaze was slightly more aggressive, raising his third Test half-century off 85 balls.

The pair added 140 runs for the fourth wicket, with Louise just three runs away from a maiden Test century before he fell to a dropped catch at slip by Mehidy Hasan Miraz. Louise then added just seven more runs before being dismissed.

Athanaze also fell short of a century, out for 90 after hitting 10 boundaries and one six off 170 balls. His dismissal came courtesy of a caught-behind off Taijul Islam after attempting a paddle sweep.

With the dismissal of Louise and Athanaze, Bangladesh looked to press for more breakthroughs. However, Justin Greaves and Joshua Da Silva played resiliently, seeing off the new ball in the final stages of the day. Da Silva was unbeaten on 14, while Greaves was on 11 at stumps.

West Indies will hope to build on their strong position as they resume play on Day 2, while Bangladesh will need to regroup and capitalize on any opportunities to break the partnership between Greaves and Da Silva. With the hosts at 250-5, the game remains finely poised heading into the second day of the Test series opener.

END/WSP/RH/