ST JOHN’S, Antigua (CMC) — Jeremy Solozano was eyeing a hundred while opening partner Tagenarine Chanderpaul further enhanced his Test claims with a half-century as CWI President’s XI prospered on the penultimate day of their three-day tour match against Bangladesh.

Playing at Coolidge Cricket Ground on Saturday, Solozano carved out a patient 83 while Chanderpaul hit 59, innings which lifted the hosts to 201 for four at the close.

Bangladesh had earlier declared on 310 for seven after resuming the morning on 274 for six, left-handed opener Tamim Iqbal stretching his overnight 140 to 162 not out.

All told, Tamim struck 21 fours and one six off 287 balls in almost 6¾ hours at the crease.

In reply, left-handers Solozano and Chanderpaul frustrated the tourists by staging a first-wicket stand of 109.

Solozano struck ten fours off 174 balls in a shade over 4½ hours while Chanderpaul, named as one of two reserves for next week’s first Test, punched eight fours and a six off 117 balls in nearly 2½ hours.

The knock would have been important for the 26-year-old Solozano who was called up for last year’s Test tour of Sri Lanka but was injured in the field on debut and never batted or featured in the series.

When Chanderpaul was bowled by uncapped seamer Rejaur Rahman, Solozano put on a further 46 for the second wicket with Tevin Imlach (27) before the President’s XI stumbled, losing three wickets for 12 runs in quick time.

Pacer Ebadot Hossain (3-56) was responsible for the slide, trapping Imlach and then new batsman Alick Athanaze lbw with successive deliveries.

Ebadot also removed Roston Chase cheaply for six a few overs later before Solozano found an ally in Captain Yannic Cariah (21 not out) to add 34 in an unbroken, fifth-wicket stand to see the innings safely to the close.