Afghanistan on course for win over Bangladesh

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Afghanistan on course for win over Bangladesh
Shakib Al Hasan faces an uphill task to save the Test against rampant Afghanistan.

Chittagong - The highest successful run chase in Bangladesh is 317-7 by New Zealand

By AFP

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Published: Sun 8 Sep 2019, 7:20 PM

Last updated: Sun 8 Sep 2019, 9:25 PM

Spinners Rashid Khan and Zahir Khan shared five wickets between them as Afghanistan came within four wickets of a historic win over Bangladesh in the one-off Test in Chittagong on Sunday.
The visitors - playing only their third Test ever - reduced Bangladesh to 136-6 before rain forced early stumps on the fourth day, with the hosts, who were set a record target of 398 runs, still needing 262.
The highest successful run chase in Bangladesh is 317-7 by New Zealand at the same ground in 2008.
"Yes, we are bit excited because we are in a good position," Afghanistan's wicketkeeper-batsman Afsar Zazai said.
"It means a lot to be honest," he added.
"The people know about us good enough in white-ball cricket. We've discussed in our dressing room that this Test match is very important for us to win because we want to show we can play Test cricket."
Skipper Shakib Al Hasan remained unbeaten on 39 runs, giving a little hope to Bangladesh amid the gloom at the Zahur Ahmed Stadium, where rain interrupted play in all three sessions much to Afghanistan's frustration.
Shakib will resume the fifth day's play along with Soumya Sarkar, the last recognised batsman for Bangladesh, who was yet to open his account.
Shakib seemed to be preparing for a loss.
"The realistic result is we are very close to defeat. Unless there is some rain... probably we are losing," he said.
Rashid, who made his debut as youngest-ever Test captain, led Afghanistan from the front, finishing the day with 3-46 while left-arm chinaman Zahir claimed 2-36 runs.
Retiring all-rounder Mohammad Nabi claimed the other wicket.
Zahir started the victory push when he dismissed opener Liton Das, who was trapped leg before for nine two balls after a caught-behind decision against him was overturned by the TV umpire on review.
One-down Mosaddek Hossain chased a ball from him wide outside the off-stump to give a catch to Asghar Afghan at long off after making 12 runs.
Rashid trapped Mushfiqur Rahim plumb in front after the former Bangladesh skipper started confidently to make 23 off 25 balls.
Rashid delivered another blow in his next over to dismiss Mominul Haque out lbw for three.
Nabi removed Shadman Islam, who made 41 runs, the highest for Bangladesh so far in the second innings.
Rashid then snapped the wicket of Mahmudullah Riyad for seven before rain provided the home side some respite.
Earlier, resuming at 237-8 after more than two hours' delay due to drizzle, Afghanistan added 23 runs to their overnight score before they were all out for 260, which took their lead close to the 400-run mark.
Yamin Ahmadzai was run out for nine and off-spinner Mehidy Hasan removed last man Zahir, leaving Zazai stranded on 48.Visitors on topAfghanistan first innings 342 (Rahmat Shah 102, Asghar Afghan 92, Rashid Khan 51; Taijul Islam 4-116)Bangladesh first innings 205 (Mominul Haque 52; Rashid Khan 5-55; Mohammad Nabi 3-56)Afghanistan second innings (overnight 237-8)I Janat lbw b Shakib 4I Zadran c Mominul b Nayeem 87R Shah c & b Shakib 0H Shahidi c Soumya b Nayeem 12A Afghan c Shakib b Taijul 50A Zazai not out 48M Nabi c Mominul b Mehidy 8R Khan b Taijul 24Q Ahmad lbw b Shakib 14Y Ahmadzai run out 9Z Khan c Mominul b Mehidy 0Extras (b4) 4Total (all out; 90.1 overs) 260Fall of wickets: 1-4, 2-4, 3-28, 4-136, 5-171, 6-180, 7-210, 8-235, 9-260, 10-260Bowling: Shakib 19-3-58-3, Mehidy 12.1-3-35-2, Taijul 28-6-86-2, Nayeem 17-2-61-2, Mominul 10-6-13-0, Mosaddek 4-1-3-0Bangladesh second inningsL Das lbw b Zahir 9S Islam lbw b Nabi 41M Hossain c Asghar b Zahir 12M Rahim lbw b Rashid 23M Haque lbw b Rashid 3Shakib batting 39Mahmudullah c Zadran b Rashid 7S Sarkar batting 0Extras (lb2) 0Total (6 wkts; 44.2 overs) 136To bat: Mehidy Hasan, Taijul Islam, Nayeem HasanFall of wickets: 1-30, 2-52, 3-78, 4-82, 5-106, 6-125Bowling: Yamin 4-1-14-0, Nabi 17.2-4-38-1, Rashid 13-0-46-3, Zahir 10-0-36-2Toss: AfghanistanUmpires: Nigel Llong (ENG), Paul Wilson (AUS)TV Umpire: Nitin Menon (IND)Match Referee: Chris Broad (ENG)


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