Bangladesh vs Afghanistan, Only Test, Day 1: Talking Points

Bangladesh dominated Day 1 of this one-off Test match against Afghanistan at Mirpur. An interesting day comes to an end marred with appalling overrate. Only 79 out of 90 overs bowled despite playing the extra half hour. So, we lose 11 overs due to slow over rate. At the end of the day, it is Bangladesh who will be the happier side despite a spirited fightback by Afghanistan in the final session. Bangladesh ends Day 1 at 362/5 in 79 overs which is the highest score by Bangladesh on Day 1 of a Test match in Mirpur.  

Hashmatullah Shahidi who won the toss and decided to field first. Bangladesh lost an early wicket in the form of Zakir Hasan as he fell to Nijat Masood for 1. But that was the only success that the Afghans had for a while as it was Najmul Hossain Shanto’s day to shire, he played brilliantly in Mirpur today. He was ably supported by Mahmudul Hasan Joy as the duo put up 212 runs for the second wicket. Hasan Joy fell for 76 off 137 balls while Shanto completed his 3rd Test century as he scored 146 off 175 balls.

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Afghanistan came back in the final session through late wickets as Mominul fell for 15 while the skipper Litton Das scored 9. Bangladesh slipped to 290/5 at one stage. But this unbeaten 72-run stand between Mushfiqur Rahim and Mehidy Hasan Miraz steadied the ship and has taken the hosts to a comfortable position in the game. Rahim is batting on 41* while Miraz is batting on 43*. There were a lot of extras given in the match today and the Afghan bowlers will be looking to cut them down tomorrow.

It was a hard toil for the Afghanistan bowlers as they gave away too many runs, loads of no balls were bowled and they got one wicket off a no ball. A day to forget for the bowling team as a whole. A couple of wickets for the debutant Nijat Masood who bowled decently. A wicket apiece for Zahir Khan, Amir Hamza, and Rahmat Shah. But they were inconsistent with their lines and lengths and therefore, paid the price. It will be interesting to see how much longer can Bangaldesh survive on Day 2 of this exciting test match.