DHAKA, Nov 26, 2024 (BSS)- A familiar reckless batting style undermined the excellent bowling effort of fast bowler Taskin Ahmed, leaving Bangladesh on the brink of defeat in the first cricket Test against the West Indies at Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in Antigua.

Chasing a victory target of 334, Bangladesh reached 109-7 at stumps on Day 4 and still needs 225 with the rest of the three wickets on the final day to produce a miracle.

Jaker Ali was batting on 15 with Hasan Mahmud yet to score before the bad light cut short the day.

Bangladesh declared with overnight 269-9 despite trailing by 181 runs but Taskin Ahmed weaved his magic to bring the side back into the contest.

He returned figures of 6-64, his first five or more wicket haul in his career and also the third best by a Bangladeshi pacer. Thanks to his fiery bowling, Bangladesh bundled West Indies out for just 152 in the second innings, setting themselves a 334-run target, which was a tough task to achieve but was not improbable.

However, batters' wayward batting meant Bangladesh are on course of their fifth straight Test defeat, having previously lost two Tests against India and two against South Africa.

It was not immediately known why Bangladesh declared an overnight total when the day resumed. Still, it was predicted to keep the fast bowlers completely fresh and prevent them from getting injured, so the decision was taken. Taskin and Shoriful Islam were the last pair in the crease.

The decision looked justified with Taskin firing all cylinders to leave West Indies batters at bay. His raw pace coupled with little swing proved to be decisive in dismantling the Caribbean batting lineup.

Opener Mykile Louise who made 97 in the first innings, scored 3 before edging a moving delivery behind to give Taskin the opening.

The lanky pacer then had Keacy Carty caught by Mahmudul Hasan Joy for 3.

Shorifu Islam joined the party to take the wicket of skipper Kraigg Brathwaite who scored 23.

With Kevam Hodge and Alick Athanaze appearing to steady the ship with calculative batting, Taskin broke through by getting rid of the former to bring an end to the 50-run partnership. Hodge made 15

Soon after that skipper Mehidy Hasan who finished with 2-31 to play second fiddle to Taskin removed Athanze after he made team-best 42

Taskin then returned to his second spell to get the better of first innings centurion Justin Greaves for 2 and completed his maiden five-for, by dismissing Kemar Roach for 12.

He then made it six-fer, by taking the wicket of Shamar Joseph as West Indies' second innings came to an end.

Fast bowlers Kemar Roach and Jayden Seals picked up three wickets apiece to scythe down Bangladesh.

It all started by Roach who removed Zakir Hasan for duck in the fifth ball of the innings before Seals had Mahmudul Hasan Joy caught by Greaves for 6. Roach then dismissed Mominul Haque with an excellent return catch before reviewing one successfully to send back Shahadat Hossain Dipy for 4.

Liton Das and Mehidy Hasan Miraz resisted but for a brief period.

Liton made 22 and added 36 with Miraz before being undone by a short delivery of Shamar Joseph.

The short-length delivery also caused the dismissal of Miraz after he scored 45 off 46 with five fours and a six.

Seals then rattled the stump of Taijul Islam for 4 before bad light brought a premature end to the day, giving Bangladesh a chance to take the game to the fifth day.

West Indies earlier declared their first innings at 450-9, thanks to a maiden century of Justin Greaves.