Walton Test Series
Bangladesh Vs Afghanistan
Played at SBNCS Dhaka from 14-18 June 2023
Brief Scorecard at Stumps Day Two
Bangladesh 382 All Out (Najmul Hossain Shanto 146, Mahmudul Hasan Joy 76, Mehedi Miraj 48, Mushfiqur Rahim 47, Njaht Masood 5, Yamin AhmedJai 2) and 134/1 (Najmul Hossain Shanto 54*, Zakir Hasan 54*)
Afghanistan 146 All Out (Afsar Zazai 36, Nasir Zamal 35, Ebadat Hossain 4/ 47, Shoriful Islam 2/28, Taijul 2/7 and Mehedi Miraj 2/15)
Bangladesh leads by 370 runs with 9 second innings wicket at hand.
On a green top pacey wicket all round Bangladesh bowling attack crashing Afghan tourist to 146 all out in response to their first innings score of 382 set a platform for a third day comfortable win.
At stumps of day two cruising to 134/1 Bangladesh has already taken impregnable position of 370 runs ahead with 9 second innings wicket at hand. In a session it can be extended to 450 on day three. On such a wicket Bangladesh should win big from this position. If that happens it will be a sweet revenge of a missive defeat against the same team in the only other test the two played at Chattogram a few years back.
Bangladesh had a horror experience early on day two with the last 5 wickets blown away for 9 runs. Two Afghan seamers debutant Nijhat Masood (5 /79) and Yamin Ahmad Jai (2/29) ran riot with pace, bounce and suing. With the departure of the two overnight not out batsmen Miraj and Mushfique Bangladesh experienced dramatic collapse. But Bangladesh bowlers also looked lethal. Ebadat (4/47) and Shoriful (2/47) had pace, accuracy, suing and bounce. Taijul (2/7) and Miraj (2/15) tweaked and turned crashing tourists to 146 all out. Bangladesh could impose follow on. But decided not too possibility avoiding the possibility of batting last on this wicket. Shanto (54*) and Zakir (54*) adding 116 in the unbeaten second wicket partnership has already set the foundation for an avalanche on the tourist in the final innings. Unless weather interferes, there is no reason why Bangladesh should not record yet another massive test win.
Bangladesh looked for setting up a mammoth first innings score after reaching 362/5 at stumps of day one. But on second morning Afghanistan pacers bowled with greater discipline. Debutant Nijhat Masood moved the bowl prodigiously and bounced. Yamin Ahmadjai gave him good company. Bangladesh late middle order and tail collapsed dramatically losing last five wickets for only 9 runs. Nine, ten and jack were blown away after Miraj and Mushfique failed to add much to their overnight score. Miraj was bit casual but Mushfique got a difficult ball that kicked awkwardly from good length. Credit must be given to Nishat Masood for a memorable debut taking 5 /79.
Bangladesh bowlers were expected to return the compliment to the visitors and they did. Ebadat and Shoriful bowled exceedingly well exploiting the pace and bounce of the wicket. Only Taskin returning after a while looked a bit rusty. Taijul and Mehedi joined the party chipping in with useful wickets. All tourists could do was reaching 146 all out. Only Afsar Zazai 37 and Nasir Jamal 36 could provide some resistance. Bangladesh bowlers bowled only 39 overs. Litton could enforce follow on. But decided not to. Apart from few dropped catches and run out opportunities not availed Bangladesh bowling and fielding was near perfect.
In the second innings Shanto again batted with confidence racing to another half century (54*) added to his first innings match defining 146. Zakir grabbed the opportunity as well scoring (54*) eclipsing his dreaded duck in the first innings. Bangladesh with an impregnable lead of 370 looks set for yet another massive win.
BDST: 2314 HRS, JUNE 15, 2023
SMS
