Bangladesh on brink of victory

Sports Reporter :
Bangladesh were on the brink of victory as they had overall 617-run lead against Afghanistan on the third day of the lone Test match at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in the city’s Mirpur on Friday.
Sent into bat first, Bangladesh piled up a massive total of 382 in the first innings on the second day (Thursday).
In reply, Afghanistan were bundled out for 146 in the first innings on the second day.
Later, Bangladesh declared their second innings making 425 for the loss of four wickets on the third day and set a target of 662 runs to win for the visitors.
Later, Afghanistan were tottering at 45 for the loss of two wickets before the bails were drawn for the third day play.
Bangladesh resumed their second innings with the over-night score of 134 for the loss of one wicket. Najmul Hossain Shanto and Zakir Hasan resumed their second innings with the over-night score of 54 and 54 runs respectively.
Zakir Hasan could add 17 runs on the third day as he (71) was run out by a joint effort of Nasir Jamal, Ibrahim Zadran and Afsar Zazai when the home side’s total was 191 for the loss of two wickets.
Then, Najmul Hossain Shanto and Mominul Haque contributed together 83 runs for the third wicket partnership before Shanto was caught at the midwicket by Abdul Malik off Zahir Khan when the Tigers’ score was 274 for the loss of two wickets.
Shanto notched up a marvelous 124. His 151-ball innings was belted with 15 fours. It was Shanto’s back-to-back century. Shanto fulfilled his fourth Test hundred-run using 115 balls with 13 fours.
After Shanto’s dismissal, Mushfiqur Rahim arrived at the crease but he (8) was caught at the slip by Ibrahim Zadran off Zahir Khan when Bangladesh’s score was 282 for the loss of four wickets.
After Mushfiqur’s departure, Mominul Haque and Litton Das added together 143 runs for the unbroken fifth wicket partnership before skipper Litton Das declared their second innings.
Mominul Haque remained unbeaten with 121. His 145-ball knock was studded with 12 fours and a sixer. It is Mominul’s 12th Test century. Mominul has gotten his rhythm and after a long gap he returned to the score.
Litton Das remained unbeaten with 66. His 81-ball captain’s knock was decorated with eight fours. It is Litton’s 16th half-century in Test cricket.
Zahir Khan bagged two wickets conceding 112 runs, while Amir Hamza took one wicket conceding 90 runs.
Later, pacer Shoriful Islam gave his team early break-though as opener Ibrahim Zadran (0) was trapped leg before wicket by left-arm pacer when Afghanistan’s score was naught.
Right-arm pacer Taskin Ahmed struck as opener Abdul Malik (5) was caught behind by wicketkeeper Litton Das of right-arm pacer when the visitors’ total was seven for the loss of two wickets.
Second-down Hashmatullah Shahidi (13) was retired hurt when the tourists’ score was 26 for the loss of two wickets.
Rahmat Shah and Nasir Jamal were at the stumps at 10 and five runs respectively.
Shoriful Islam and Taskin Ahmed took one wicket each instead of six and 28 runs respectively.