Antigua Test: Struggling Bangladesh avoid follow-on after fifties from Mominul, Jaker

Bangladesh narrowly avoided the follow-on thanks to fighting fifties from Mominul Haque and Jaker Ali, but West Indies remained firmly in control at the end of the third day of the first Test in Antigua.

Bangladesh finished on 269 for 9, trailing the hosts by 181 runs after the West Indies had declared their first innings at 450 for 9.

Despite several good starts from Bangladesh's top and middle order, none of their batters managed to replicate the big scores from the West Indian innings.

Mominul struck a gritty 50 off 116 balls, while wicketkeeper-batter Jaker contributed a crucial 53 under pressure. Their efforts, supported by a late stand with Taijul Islam, ensured Bangladesh surpassed the follow-on target of 251 in the day's final hour.

The day began with Bangladesh on 40 for 2, and the visitors made slow progress on a surface that demanded patience.

Shahadat Hossain added just 18 runs in a painstaking 71-ball stay before edging Kemar Roach to first slip.

Mominul and Litton Das then stabilized the innings, adding 62 runs for the fourth wicket.

Mominul reached his 21st Test half-century but was trapped lbw by Jayden Seales shortly after lunch. Litton played with intent for his 40 off 76 balls but fell to a dragged-on dismissal against Shamar Joseph, leaving Bangladesh at 145 for 5.

Stand-in captain Mehidy Hasan Miraz endured a hostile spell, facing bouncers from Alzarri Joseph and Seales. Mehidy struck a couple of boundaries but eventually succumbed to a short ball from Joseph, gloving it to short-leg.

Jaker Ali and Taijul Islam then staged a spirited fightback with a 68-run partnership for the seventh wicket. Jaker's 53 off 89 balls included four boundaries, while Taijul chipped in with a handy 25.

Their stand frustrated the West Indian bowlers before Joseph bowled Taijul and Justin Greaves dismissed Jaker with a catch at deep midwicket.

Towards the end of the day, Alzarri Joseph hit Taskin Ahmed on the helmet, leading to a heated exchange between the two. However, fading light prevented the West Indies from wrapping up Bangladesh's innings.

West Indies' bowlers shared the workload, with Joseph taking 3 for 69 and Seales and Greaves picking up two wickets each.

Earlier, Bangladesh won the toss and opted to bowl first.

West Indies declared their first innings on 450 for 9 wickets, with Justin Greaves hitting his maiden Test century and Mikyle Louis and Alick Athanaze scoring 97 and 90, respectively.