Bangladesh squander flying start, finish Day 1 on 317-8
Bangladesh failed to capitalise on Tanzid’s strong start, missing a chance to build a commanding first-innings total against Afghanistan.
Bangladesh compiled 317-8, riding on three half-centuries from openers Tanzid Hasan Tamim, Shadman Islam and wicket-keeper batter Liton Das on Day 1 of the one-off cricket Test against Afghanistan at Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi, UAE today (9 October).
While the scoreboard suggested an even day for the two teams, Bangladesh knew they had squandered a golden chance to bury Afghanistan under an avalanche of runs, especially the kind of start they got through Tanzid.
Tanzid smashed a marauding 71 off 83 balls, a knock well complemented by his fellow opener Shadman Islam's 67 and Liton Das's 53.
Keep updated, follow The Business Standard's Google news channel
Skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto won the toss and opted to bat first, a decision justified well by Taznid, who treated Afghan bowlers with disdain, defying the short-ball barrage.
Afghanistan employed the short ball tricks, sensing the Bangladesh batters' weakness against it.
But Tanzid's aggressive approach kept runs flowing for Bangladesh as the partnership reached 124 runs in no time.
Nonetheless, Afghan pacers didn't back out of their plan. And their relentless work paid dividends eventually, with Ismat Alam finally getting Tanzid with one shorter, which the batter edged to the wicket-keeper to be out after hitting eight fours and four sixes.
His dismissal brought Mominul Haque into the crease, and he too kept up the rhythm along with Shadman.
After the second-wicket partnership reached 60 runs, Mohammad Saleem got the better of Shadman again with a short ball.
Yamin Ahmadzai then dealt a double blow, dismissing Mominul Haque (29) and Mushfiqur Rahim for ducks in three balls, leaving Bangladesh in a precarious state.
The situation got worse further when leg-spinner Qais Ahmed got rid of Najmul Hossain Shanto as Bangladesh lost three wickets for 18 balls.
Liton Das and Mehdiy Hasan Miraz repaired the damage with 62 runs for the sixth wicket.
As Bangladesh looked to take the stranglehold again, Ismat Alam came back to take the wicket of Miraz for 24, effectively closing Bangladesh's path to rack up a healthy total.
Saleem, who was the standout bowler for Afghanistan on Day 1 with 3-70, removed Liton and Hasan Mahmud in five balls to leave Bangladesh eight down.
Bangladesh appeared to be all out, but Nayeem Hasan and Taijul Islam made a late resistance, denying Afghanistan further inroads.
Nayeem was batting on 11 with Taijul on 4 at stumps.
