Shanto-Zakir hit fifties as Bangladesh take mammoth lead
Courtesy
|| CF DESK ||
Mustakim Howlader smashes record 404* in Bangladesh’s school cricket
18 Mar 25
Najmul Hossain Shanto and Zakir Hasan scored fifties as Bangladesh posted 134-1 at stumps on Day 2, taking their lead to 370 runs in the ongoing one-off Test at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium, Mirpur.
Shanto and Zakir were unbeaten on 54 runs each respectively at the draw of the stumps. The hosts decided to bat with a lead of 236 runs after Afghanistan failed to avoid the follow-on.
Bangladesh made a shaky start to their second innings as opener Mahmudul Hasan Joy returned early after getting edged and eventually punished for hastening on the crease. Amir Hamza got the only wicket of the session by removing Joy for 17 off 13.
Then Shanto and Zakir took charge of the side and amassed a 116-run unbeaten partnership.
Earlier, Mehidy Hasan Miraz completed his 150th Test wicket as Bangladesh restricted Afghanistan to 146 runs in reply to Bangladesh's 382.
Ebadot Hossain was the pick of the bowling attack as he grabbed four wickets while Miraz, Shoriful Islam and Taijul Islam took two wickets apiece.
Karim Janat was the last man to depart when he nicked Miraz on 23 runs and was caught behind by wicket-keeper Litton Das.
Ireland cancels Afghanistan series due to budget constraints
12 Mar 25
Afghanistan slumped to 51-4 following the first session, wicket-keeper Afsar Zazai and Nasir Jamal put on a 65-run stand for the fifth wicket and was looking relatively comfortable in the middle until Miraz trapped Jamal (35) in front with a flighted delivery that went on to turn sharply.
Ebadot then dismissed Zazai (36) as the batter was caught with ease by Shoriful fielding in the deep.
Tigers finished the first session with Ebadot dismissing Rahmat Shah (9) just before Lunch. Ebadot also returned Abdul Malik for 17 runs with a salute celebration.
Shoriful got the prized wicket of Ibrahim Zadran with an edge to wicket-keeper Litton.
Bangladesh managed to add only 20 runs to their overnight score of 362 for five. Debutant Nijat Masood grabbed maiden fifer as Bangladesh lost five early wickets on Day 2.
Nijat returned figures of 5 for 79, the second Afghanistan bowler to take a five-for on debut after Amir Hamza. Hamza took three wickets in the morning session while Yamin Ahmadzai picked up two wickets.
Miraz was unbeaten overnight but flashed a catch to Amir Hamza at the gully off Yamin to end his promising innings at 48.
Mushfiqur Rahim (47) and Taijul (0) followed Miraz in the next over, bowled by Nijat, before Yamin dismissed Taskin for two. Nijat then axed Shoriful to complete his five-for and wrap up the Bangladesh innings.
The batters dominated the first day as Shanto struck his third Test century. Shanto made 146 off 175 balls with 23 fours and two sixes, amassing the 212-run second-wicket stand with Joy.
