It was a clear case of giving away the impetus to the opponents as far as the Bangladesh team was concerned at the end of the first day's play of the second and final Test.

While there was a hint of satisfaction at another outstanding fightback by the tail which enabled the Tigers to close on 264 for nine from the desperate 97 for five, the general feeling was that it was an opportunity lost on a fairly placid pitch without pace.

"I'm very happy with the way the late-order had done its job. You don't expect that to happen every time but that is exactly what they have been doing on this tour and I'm proud of them. However I am particularly disappointed as most of us got starts but could not carry on," said Bangladesh captain Habibul Bashar.

"I must also shoulder some of the blame. I played a foolish shot which I shouldn't have at that stage. But it's a stroke that brings me runs so I guess I'll continue to be me but be a bit more cautious," added Bashar reflecting on his attempted pull shot off Pedro Collins that brought about his downfall immediately after becoming the first Bangladeshi to reach 2000 runs in Test cricket.

Stand-in coach Faruque Ahmed was delighted with number ten Tapash Baisya's batting as well as the attitude shown by Mohammad Rafique and last man Tareq Aziz.

"I heard that Rafique was disappointed at missing what he thought was a half-century for the taking. That shows how serious he is about his batting. I've told Tapash and Tareq to think like batsmen when they are at the crease and forget about bowling. You can see they are listening which is very heartening," saidFaruque.

Baisya was not out on 36 off 50

balls and hit some delightful cover driven boundaries. He was roughed up by a fiery Tino Best but kept his composure in putting on 46 with Khaled Mashud whose trademark innings of defiance ended on 39 (111) balls when he pushed uppishly straight to Omari Banks off Fidel Edwards with Bangladesh on 238 for nine.

Rafique and Mashud had earlier shared exactly 40 before Rafique (39) tried to go over mid-off but couldn't clear Collins. It was Banks' fourth wicket of the innings justifying his selection and the surprise turn he received on Day One also gave encouragement to the opposition.

"We have two specialist spinners and a couple of others who can turn the ball. So I believe they could make an impact. Batting last on this wicket is not going to be easy if we can restrict the West Indies. Our pacers are also very disciplined," said Bashar.

His opposite number Brian Lara did not turn up for the scheduled press conference after the day's Play.

SCOREBOARD

Scoreboard at close of play on the first day of the second Test between Bangladesh and the West Indies at Sabina Park in Kingston, Jamaica on Friday:

BANGLADESH: First innings

Hannanlbwb Collins 0

OmarcJacobsbEdwards 20

Basharc Banks b Collins 20

Saleh c and b Banks 47

Ashraful c Sarwan b Banks 16

ManjarulcJacobsbBest 7

Mushfiqstjacobsb Banks 22

Mashud c Banks b Edwards 39

Rafique c Collins b Banks 30

Baisya not out 34

Tareq not out 4

Extras: (lb-7,w-2,nb-12, b-4) 25 Total: (For 9 wkts in 90 overs) 264

Fall ofwickets: 1-0,2-37,3-54,4-88, 5-97,6-145, 7-152,8-192,9-23:8

Bowler O M R W

Collins 18 2 54 2

Edwards 20 5 66 2

Best 18 4 50 1

Banks 29 5 80 4

Sarwan 2 2 0 0

Dwayne 3 1 3 0

WEST INDIES: Gayle, Devon, Sarwan, Lara, Chanderpaul, Dwayne, Jacobs, Banks, Best, Collins, Lclwards.

Toss: Bangladesh.

Umpires: Rudi Koertzen (South Africa) and Jeremy Lloyds (England).