Shakib Al Hasan struck 68 and Mehidy Hasan closed on a half-century as Bangladesh reached 328-7 at lunch on the second day in the first Test against the West Indies in Chittagong on Thursday.
Shakib was out for 68 off 150 balls, with Mehidy not out 46 and Taijul Islam on five at the interval after the hosts resumed at 242-5.
The West Indies had an early breakthrough, dismissing Liton Das for 38 after the right-hander added just four runs to his overnight score, bowled by Jomel Warrican.
But Shakib and Mehidy then added 67 runs for the seventh wicket before off-spinner Rahkeem Cornwall struck just before lunch. Shakib cut a loose to Kraigg Brathwaite at point after hitting five fours in a patient knock.
The visitors dropped Mehidy at 24 as Shayne Moseley put down a simple catch at silly point off which would have given Warrican (4-100) a maiden five-wicket Test haul.