Thought it best to attack - Bravo

Darren Bravo, the West Indies batsman who reached his maiden Test century off the last ball of the third day in Mirpur, has said he was not anxious to achieve the landmark before stumps. Bravo cut the final delivery from Suhrawadi Shuvo through point, a shot that fetched him two runs to complete his first hundred in 18 innings.

"I actually wanted to wait for the right ball to get my first Test century," Bravo said. "It was a back of a length delivery and I thought I played it well. I thought it went for four so I started to celebrate before reaching the hundred but nevertheless, I'm happy."

Earlier in the day Bravo had counterattacked after West Indies had lost their openers, Kraigg Brathwaite and Kieran Powell, cheaply. "I thought attack was the best form of defence. I went out and backed my ability, [it was] great that it paid off in the end.

"I knew there was something special for me around the corner. I was always keeping the faith and [it feels] nice to capitalise on my hard work."

Bravo's 151-run partnership for the third wicket with Kirk Edwards helped West Indies take firm control of the second Test, securing a lead of 331 with seven wickets in hand and two days remaining. He ended the day on 100 off 165 balls with two sixes. It is said that Bravo's batting style evokes memories of Brian Lara and he paid tribute to his "role model" after the century.

"I look up to Lara a lot," Bravo said. "As a kid growing up, I would look at him batting and when he got out I would turn off the TV to go outside and play. To be quite honest, though, this is my natural way of batting. I just go outside and express myself. I've heard this question over and over. When I'm performing, nobody sees it as a burden but as soon as I'm failing, the burden question pops up."