The one and only test match between Bangladesh and Afghanistan is now taking place at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur. Since the loss of opener Zakir Hasan early in the innings, things have gone well for Bangladesh, and the Tigers seem to be in control of the proceedings.
Bangladesh’s score was 116 without losing a wicket after 24 overs when lunch was taken, with the in-form hitter Najmul Hossain Shanto still not out on 64 and the opener Mahmudul Hasan Joy still not out on 38. In addition to that, the pair put up an undefeated stand of 110 runs for the second wicket.
Shanto has been responsible for the most of the scoring, which has resulted in runs being scored at a respectable rate of 4.83 per over. On his approach to his fourth fifty in a test match, Shanto produced some superb strokes, including two back-to-back straight drives off of left-arm wrist spinner Zahir Khan. These drives not only demonstrated Shanto’s self-assurance, but they also prevented Afghanistan from gaining any ground in their bid to take control of the game.
Nevertheless, there were occasions when Shanto rode his luck as he saw leading edges sprint away to the border. The left-handed hitter, on the other hand, maintained composure and maintained a good mental attitude throughout the game. After 58 deliveries, Shanto reached his fifty with a pull behind square off a Zahir delivery, bringing his total to 58. Up to this point, he has broken a total of 11 barriers.
While this was going on, Joy, who played with greater caution, was gradually getting into rhythm. In spite of a couple near misses, Joy faced off against the bowlers towards the later part of the first session. He took advantage of two different loose deliveries to smash Zahir for two boundaries in the same over. Both times, he did this in the same over.
Before that, Bangladesh’s opening batsman Zakir was dismissed by the very first ball in the second over of their innings. Nijat Masood, an Afghan pacer, became the first player from Afghanistan and the 22nd player worldwide to take a wicket with his very first delivery in a test match. He did this by getting Zakir to nick one back to the wicketkeeper.