Edwards upstaged by newcomer Abul Hasan

KHULNA, Bangladesh – A memorable return to Tests for Fidel Edwards was spoiled, when newcomer Abul Hasan overshadowed him with a stunning hundred on debut to lead a rearguard action for Bangladesh against West Indies in the second Test on Wednesday. Edwards, playing in place of injured, fellow fast bowler Ravi Rampaul, was the pick of the Windies bowlers, scalping 5-81 from 16 overs, but left-hander Hasan, one of the two changes to the Bangladesh line-up, brilliantly counter- attacked with a feisty, even, undefeated 100 to propel the Tigers to 365 for eight in their first innings at the close on the opening day.
A three-wicket burst from Edwards after lunch on the docile Sheikh Abu Naser Stadium pitch appeared to put the visitors in charge, when the hosts sunk to 193 for eight about half-hour before tea.
West Indies however, came under assault, when Hasan linked up with Mahmudullah, not out on 71 admirably playing the sheet anchor role, to put on a Bangladesh record 172 –unbroken–for the ninth wicket to transform the complexion of the game.
Off-spinner Sunil Narine was turned to fine leg for a deuce to take Hasan to the triple- figure threshold from just 106 balls, becoming only the second player to score a Test hundred on debut batting at 10.
There were also two dropped catches by short leg fielder Kieran Powell that allowed the two Bangladeshi batsmen to indulge themselves.
Powell made three attempts to hold on, but put down Hasan on 42 off leftarm spinner Veerasammy Permaul, and his reflexes were not quick enough to allow him to claim a catch, when Mahmudullah turned a delivery from the same bowler to him.
A delivery from Windies captain Darren Sammy was deposited over long-off for six to carry Hasan to his 50 from 55 balls and Permaul was turned through midwicket for a single to take Mahmudullah to his 50 from 70 balls, as the local pair ticked off the landmarks.
Edwards gave the Caribbean side a bright start, when he had opener Nazimuddin, the other change to the Bangladesh line-up, caught at forward short leg for four in the third over of the day.
For close to 1 1/2 hours, West Indies met resistance, when Shahriar Nafees joined opener Tamim Iqbal and put on 59 for the second wicket.
Sammy removed both batsmen in the final half hour before lunch. Shahriar was caught behind for 26, nibbling at a delivery that moved away late, and Tamim was bowled for 32, offering no stroke to a delivery that was angled into the left-hander and also possibly moved a shade, leaving the Bangladeshis on 88 for three at lunch.
After the interval, the Windies were literally hamstrung, when fast bowler Tino Best was slowed down by a leg injury and later left the field.
Edwards eased the pain, when he bowled Naeem Islam, a century-maker in the first Test, for 16 and had Shakib Al Hasan caught behind for 17, wobbling the home team on 98 for five.
West Indies again met opposition, when Nasir Hossain joined diminutive Bangladesh captain Mushfiqur Rahim and put on 87 for the sixth wicket.
A delivery from Permaul was steered to third man for the last of Nasir’s eight fours to bring up his 50 from 62 balls, but the same bowler had him caught at midon from a miscued, lofted drive for 52. He also struck a six in a 68-ball innings that lasted just under 1½ hours, as the Bangladeshis reached 186 for six at tea.
After the break, Edwards tightened West Indies grip, when Mushfiqur nibbled at a ball that moved away late and was caught behind for 38, and four balls later, trapped Sohag Gazi for a duck.
Edwards went past the outside edge of Hasan’s bat with the first four balls he delivered to him, but the 20-year-old grew in confidence and shepherded by experienced all-rounder Mahmudullah took the sting out of the Windies’ attack. (WICB Media)