Big partnership can put Bangladesh in winning position: Nayeem

Bangladesh offspinner Nayeem Hasan said that a big partnership could put them in good stead for winning the first cricket Test against West Indies despite a batting slump. The hosts were reduced to 79-6 in its second innings after a batting collapse and extended its lead to 106 runs so far. With the pitch still offering turn and bounce aplenty, Nayeem thinks a substantial partnership could do the wonder. Nayeem himself would have to take the responsibility in batting as he was unbeaten on 18 alongside Jaker Ali who was also on 18 when the Day 3 play was called off. Nayeem said the immediate target was to bat as long as possible and put as many runs on the board as they could, adding that reaching 200 would be a good achievement from their current position. “We will try to score as many runs as possible. By the grace of Almighty Allah, Jaker bhai and I are batting now.

If we can bat for a long time, it will be good for us. Even 200 runs would be a very good total, but we will try to score more,” Nayeem told newspersons after the day’s play. Nayeem earlier took 4-33 to help the side bowl West Indies out for 245 in its first innings and handed the side 27-run lead. Off-spinner Nayeem Hasan reacts in the first innings of West Indies of the first Test at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium at Mirpur, Dhaka on 30 October 2026 He said Bangladesh needed to maintain a positive approach on a turning pitch, where scoring regularly could put the opposition bowlers under pressure. “There was no specific plan when I came to the crease. I wanted to react according to the deliveries. On this wicket, you have to look for runs because the ball is turning. If you keep the scoreboard moving, the bowlers will come under pressure,” he said. Nayeem also admitted that Bangladesh’s top…