ZCZC
BSP-22
CRICKET-BD-AFG-DAY-3-STUMPS
Tigers in cornered state as Afghans lead swells to 374
CHATTOGRAM, Sept 7, 2019 (BSS)- Bangladesh put up yet another lackluster
bowling effort to let Afghanistan continue its absolute dominance over them on the
day three of the one-off Test at Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium in Chattogram
today.
Afghanistan captain Rashid Khan was in the center stage yet again by becoming
the only fourth captain in the history to score a half-century and claim five-for
on captaincy debut.
The youngest Test captain, who scored 51 in Afghanistan’s first innings, took
5-55 to dismiss Bangladesh for 205, earning a 137 runs lead for the side.
Opener Ibrahim Zadran then hit 87, while Asghar Afghan followed his first
innings 92 with 50 as Afghanistan scored 237-8, before a power-failure in stadium
brought a premature end to the day three, with the lead swelling to an improbable
374.
With two wickets at hands, Afghanistan will definitely be eying to set 400 plus
target to Bangladesh, which looked realistic as Afsar Zazai, the man in form was
batting on 34. But the lead already was too much for Bangladesh and left them in
the knife-edge of a defeat to the Test cricket’s newest nation as the Tigers
highest successful chase in fourth innings remains 217, that they achieved against
West Indies in 2009.
Bangladesh was bowled out 17 minutes after beginning the day three with 194-8
with Rashid Khan and Mohammad Nabi (3-56) claiming the last two wickets.
But the hosts appeared to have clawed back when skipper Shakib Al Hasan dealt a
double blow, removing opener Ihsanullah Janat and first innings centurion Rahman
in consecutive deliveries in the first over.
With precariously placed at 4-2, Afghanistan was in position to concede their
first innings advantage.
Off-spinner Nayeem Hasan had Hasmatullah Shahidi caught by Soumya Sarkar at
slip for 12 to further peg back the innings with Afghanistan at 28-3.
Ibrahim Zadran and Asghar Afghan showed stubbornness in the face of some good
bowling initially.
But Bangladesh bowlers failed to land the ball in right areas consistently and
both of them took the full advantage of it to pace the innings.
Left arm spinner Taijul Islam broke through with the wicket of Afghan to put an
end to the 128-run partnership in fourth wicket.
Zadran and Afsar Zazai then took the lead past 300 runs before Nayeem removed
17-year old Zadran, who was visibly tired after playing 208 balls and failed to
clear the long-on in his attempt to hit his fifth six.
Off-spinner Mehidy Hasan removed Mohammad Nabi, 8, who is going to retire from
the test cricket after the match.
But Rashid Khan played a 22 ball-24 to further pace the innings as Afghanistan
eyed extending lead as much as it is possible.
Taijul Islam prevented Rashid by doing more carnage, rattling his stump with an
arm-ball and Shakib had Qais Ahmed lbw for 14.
Afsar Zazai was batting on 34, with Yamin Ahmadzai who is yet to open his
scoring sheet.
Shakib Al Hasan had figures of 3-53 while Taijul and Nayeem took two wickets
apiece.
BSS/SMP/AU/17:35 hrs