Shivnarine Chanderpaul and opener Kieran Powell hit critical hundreds to give the West Indies a commanding start in the first Test against Bangladesh in Dhaka on Tuesday.

Chanderpaul remained unbeaten on 123 for his 26th Test century while Powell reached 117 for his second Test ton. West Indies amassed 361-4 at close on the opening day after Darren Sammy won the toss and opted to bat.

Bangladesh captured the first session when debutant off-spinner Sohag Gazi, who opened the attack with the new ball, dismissed Chris Gayle (24) and Darren Bravo (14) before pacer Shahadat Hossain sent back Marlon Samuels for 16.

Chanderpaul, who joined Powell at the stroke of lunch with the Windies on 106 for 3, played his usually calm knock while guiding his colleague to reverse Bangladesh's early advantage on a slow turning Shere Bangla stadium pitch.

Ranked fifth in the world, the 38-year-old Chanderpaul added an invaluable 125 runs for the fourth wicket with Powell.

He then consolidated the West Indian position during an unbroken 130-run partnership with Denesh Ramdin who was 52 not out at close.

Powell reached his century with a sweep off left-arm spinner Shakib Al Hasan for his 15th boundary before being bowled by Gazi who finished with 3-97. Powell hit 18 boundaries and a six during his 178-ball stay.

Chanderpaul, playing his 145th Test, was equally resolute as he completed his hundred with a four and single off Nasir Hossain. He has so far hit 17 boundaries off 195 balls.

West Indies won the toss and decided to bat

West Indies Innings

361 for 4 (90.0 overs)

West Indies 1st Innings

Tour Fixture: West Indies v Bangladesh

1st Test:  Dhaka - Nov 13-17

2nd Test: Khulna - Nov 21-25  

BCB XI v West Indians at Khulna Nov 28  

1st ODI: Khulna Nov 30  

2nd ODI: Khulna Dec 2