Bangladesh aim for Sylhet comeback as Mushfiqur set to return for second Test against West Indies

Bangladesh will look to bounce back in the second Test against West Indies in Sylhet starting Thursday, 5 November, after suffering an eight-wicket defeat in the Mirpur opener on 31 October. The hosts must win to level the two-match series 1-1. Chief selector Habibul Bashar has dismissed growing criticism and urged the squad to stay positive, saying one setback should not overshadow the team's broader progress, according to Khaborwala. Senior batter Mushfiqur Rahim, who missed the Mirpur Test with injury, has fully recovered and is expected to return. West Indies spinners dominated the first Test — Jomel Warrican took nine wickets (5/53 in the first innings) and Roston Chase claimed 5/36 in Bangladesh's second innings, while Brandon King finished unbeaten on 81 in the chase. For Bangladesh, Shadman Islam scored 105 in the first innings and Nayeem Hasan made 52 in the second. The defeat ended Bangladesh's run of five consecutive home Test wins since April 2025 and dropped them to fifth in the ICC World Test Championship standings. Pace bowler Nahid Rana has been ruled out of the series with injury.