Bangladesh crush Afghanistan by 546 runs in one-off Test

Md Sabbir Hossain :
Bangladesh registered a resounding 546-run victory against Afghanistan on the fourth day of the lone Test match at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in the city’s Mirpur on Saturday. It is biggest marginal win for Bangladesh in their Test campaign.

Sent into bat first, Bangladesh notched up a massive 382 in the first innings on the second day (Thursday) thanks to Najmul Hossain Shanto, who scored a terrific 146.

Pacer Nijat Masood restored some parity for his country claiming five wickets instead of 79 runs.
In return, Afghanistan were bundled out for a 146 in the first innings on the second day thanks to left-arm pacer Shoriful Islam, who played the key role in wrecking Afghanistan innings grabbing four wickets in the space of 47 runs.

The Tigers declared their second innings making a satisfactory 425 for the loss of four wickets on the third day (Friday) thanks to Najmul Hossain Shanto and Mominul Haque, who scored 124 and 121 runs respectively. Najmul Hossain Shanto was adjudged the Man of the Match. Bangladesh set a target of 662-runs for the touring side.

Afghanistan were skittled out for a fragile 115 in the second innings on the fourth day and conceded a huge defeat. Afghanistan could able to play only 33 overs.

Afghanistan resumed their second innings with the over-night score of 45 for the loss of two wickets. Rahmat Shah and Nasir Jamal resumed their second innings with the over-night score of 10 and five runs respectively.

Afghanistan failed to build any notable partnership against the superb bowling attack of Bangladesh bowlers. Bowlers of Bangladesh totally dominated the Afghanistan batters and powered their side to achieve the massive win.

Taskin Ahmed captured four wickets in the space of 37 runs, while Shoriful Islam grabbed three wickets at the cost of 28 runs. Mehidy Hasan Miraz and Ebadot Hossain took one wicket each for five and 22 runs respectively.

Rahmat Shah was the only batter of Afghanistan who made a notable score. He hit 30 runs playing 73 deliveries including two fours.
Second-down Hashmatullah Shahidi was retired hurt at 13.

Nasir Jamil could add just one run on the fourth day as he (6) was caught behind by wicketkeeper Litton Das off Ebadot Hossain when the visitors’ total was 48 for the loss of three wickets.

Fourth-down Afsar Zazai (6) was caught at the gully by Mehidy Hasan Miraz off Shoriful Islam when the tourists’ score was 65 for the loss of four wickets.

Fifth-down Bahir Shah (7) was caught by Taijul Islam off Shoriful Islam when the touring side’s total was 78 for the loss of five wickets.
Rahmat Shah was caught behind by wicketkeeper Litton Das off Taskin Ahmed when Afghanistan’s score was 91 for the loss of six wickets.

Taskin Ahmed struck again as Karim Janat (18) was cleanly bowled out by the right-arm pacer when Afghanistan’s total was 98 for the loss of seven wickets.

Seventh-down Amir Hamza (5) was caught at the short leg by Mominul Haque off Miraz when the visitors’ score was 106 for the loss of eight wickets.

Eighth-down Yamin Ahmatzai (1) was caught at the short cover by Mushfiqur Rahim off Taskin Ahmed when the tourists’ total was 110 for the loss of nine wickets.

Number-11 batter Zahir Khan was retired hurt at 4 and Afghanistan’s second innings was concluded and Bangladesh finally clinched the lone Test match.