Bangladesh makes strong start in one-off Test against Afghanistan

Mirpur: Bangladesh get off to a good start in the one-off Test cricket match against Afghanistan. At the end of the first day, Bangladesh were 362 for 5.

Mehdi Hasan Mirza, who scored 43 runs off 66 balls, and Mushfiqar Rahim, who scored 41 runs off 69 balls, are at the crease. Najmal Hussain Shanto who scored 146 runs off 175 balls including two sixes and 23 fours led Bangladesh to the best score. Opener Mahdul Hasan Joy (76 off 137 balls) shone with a half-century. After winning the toss, Afghan captain Hazmatullah Shahidi left Bangladesh to bat. Bangladesh lost Zakir Hussain (one) in the second over. Wicket keeper Afzar Sazai caught Sakir who put the bat on the ball of Nijat Masood. The 212-run partnership between Shanto and Joyce for the second wicket became the foundation of the Bangla innings. Rehmat Shah brought Joey to the hands of Ibrahim Zadran and broke the alliance.

Mominul Haq (15), who came next, was caught by the wicketkeeper off Nijat Masood’s ball and returned. Soon Najmal Hussain Shanto, who scored his third Test century, also returned. Shanto was handed over to Amir Hamza Nasir Jamal. Skipper Liton Das (nine off 15 balls) also could not hold on. Das was handed over to Zahir Khan Ibrahim Zadran. A good partnership in the sixth wicket took Bangladesh to a very strong position. Mushfiqur and Mehdi put on an unbeaten partnership of 72 runs for the sixth wicket. Nijat Masood took two wickets and Zahir Khan, Amir Hamza and Rahmat Shah took one wicket each for Afghanistan.