A brilliant debut century from Abul Hasan has Bangladesh well placed after the opening day of the second Test against West Indies.
Hasan became just the second batsman in Test history to score a century from number 10 on debut as he helped the hosts to 8-365 at stumps at the Sheikh Abu Naser Stadium in Khulna.
Hasan, who is in the team as a fast bowler, showed great composure with the bat as he plundered 13 boundaries and three sixes in his century, which came off just 106 balls.
The 20-year-old combined with Mahmudullah for a ninth-wicket stand of 172 to guide Bangladesh out of trouble and into a strong position.
The duo came to the crease with the hosts precariously placed at 8-193, but put together a stunning partnership that has them closing in on the all-time record of 195 set by South African pair Mark Boucher and Pat Symcox in 1998.
Hasan, who brought up his century in the last over of play, is unbeaten on 100, while Mahmudullah is 72 not out.
Earlier, the day looked like belonging to Fidel Edwards with the West Indies paceman ripping through the Bangladesh top order on his way to a five-wicket haul.
Edwards removed opener Nazimuddin (four), Naeem Islam (16), Shakib Al Hasan (17), Mushfiqur Rahim (38) and Sohag Gazi (zero) to finish with the impressive figures of 5-81 off 16 overs.
Darren Sammy (2-61) picked up the key wickets of Tamim Iqbal (32) and Shahriar Nafees (26), but neither he nor Edwards could break the ninth-wicket stand of Hasan and Mahmudullah.
The 365 runs scored by Bangladesh was the most they have ever scored in a single innings on a day of cricket, eclipsing the 355 recorded against Australia in 2006.
First Posted 22 November, 2012 8:53AM AEST
