West Indies firmly tightened their grip on the second and final Test match against Bangladesh as the fourth day drew to a close. Posting 345 for the loss of three wickets in their second innings, the visitors extended their commanding overall lead to 315 runs. Holding a 1-0 advantage in the two-match series, the Caribbean side had earlier put up 356 runs in their first innings. In response, Bangladesh scored 386 to claim a slender 30-run lead.
At stumps, Keacy Carty was standing tall on an unbeaten 140, accompanied by Amir Jangoo, who was unbeaten on 20. Play had to be called off slightly ahead of schedule due to fading light conditions. Aside from Carty's stellar knock, contributions came from Kevin Wickham, who chipped in with 78, and opening batsman Kraigg Brathwaite, who added 61 runs.
Resuming the day with just seven runs on the board, the West Indian opening pair of Brathwaite and Joshua Da Silva provided a solid foundation. The duo stitched together an 85-run stand for the opening wicket before left-arm spinner Taijul Islam trapped Da Silva lbw for 36 to break the partnership.
Brathwaite brought up his sixth Test half-century but eventually threw his wicket away while attempting an aggressive stroke off off-spinner Mehidy Hasan Miraz, departing for 61. Quick strikes by the Bangladesh spin bowlers shortly after briefly sparked hopes of a fightback for the home team.
However, Carty and Wickham, playing in his early Test matches, handled the spin threat with remarkable composure. Both batters utilized their feet effectively and relied on sweep shots to keep the scoreboard ticking. Wickham reached his second Test fifty in 68 deliveries with a boundary, having previously scored 61 in the first innings. Though well-positioned for a maiden century, he fell for 78, chipping a catch back to bowler Taijul Islam. Taijul finished the day's play with figures of two wickets for 118 runs.
At the other end, Carty maintained his aggressive approach. He completed his third Test century by taking a single off Taijul towards the square leg region using a sweep shot off 142 deliveries. Unfazed after reaching the milestone, he continued to pile pressure on the bowling attack, remaining unbeaten at the close of play on 140.
Earlier in the contest, Bangladesh had posted 386 in their opening essay, spearheaded by a magnificent, unbeaten 242 from Towhid Hridoy, which earned them a 30-run advantage. However, a stellar batting display in the second innings has completely shifted the momentum, placing West Indies in the driver's seat.
