Only Test: Afghanistan Vs Bangladesh Played at Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium, Chattogram
Scorecard at Stumps Day One
Afghanistan 271/5 (Rahmat Shah 102, Asghar Afghan 88*, Afsar Zazai 35*, Ibrahim Zadran 21, Naeem Hasan 2/43 , Taijul Islam 2/73 , Mahmudullah Riyad 1/9)
At stumps of day one after winning the toss and electing to bat rookie Afghanistan were comfortably placed at 271/5. Quality top order batsman Rahmat Shah (102) curbed his name in Afghanistan cricket history as the first batsman scoring century. Ashgar Afghan (88*) and Afsar Zazai (35*) were together at the wicket putting up 74 valuable runs in unbroken 6th wicket partnership when stumps were drawn. A record of 96 overs was bowled on a rain interrupted eventful day where few other milestones of different types were set.
The score at the end of day in a test between Bangladesh playing 115 tests since 2000 and Afghanistan playing only its 3rd test since June 2018 may not sound significant. But considering that the match is being played at home of Bangladesh in Chattogram on a wicket reputed for turning and bouncing almost from the first session of the first day one may conclude that tourists have already entered the zone of comfort. . Bangladesh appeared with 4 front raked genuine spinners, two part time spinners and another occasional spinner. The team had no genuine pace bowler and but stacked 8 genuine batsmen. Against a team which is known for playing reasonably well against spin and not too comfortable against pace the decision has already created concerns.
Many questions whether it is an ultra defensive strategy? Some one would term it to be too adventurous. But with runs on board and still two genuine batsmen at the wicket the tourists had reasons to sleep well overnight. . Afghans have two quality leg spinners, one very experienced crafty off spinner and one left arm unorthodox spinner. If some how Afghans can score 350 plus on this wicket, Bangladesh requiring to bat in the fourth innings may struggle to save the test.
BCB officials were talking about grassy wickets offering pace, new coaching stuff were concentrating on fine tuning Bangladeshi pacers prior to the test. Bangladesh included Taskin, Rahi and Ebadat in the squad . If not two at least one was expected in the playing eleven. Well one may explain that Bangladesh with almost similar strategy trapped much stronger Australia and England on turning tracks. But that prospect can be negated saying that both England and Australia had fearsome fast bowlers and their batting has genuine weakness against quality spinners on turning tracks . Afghanistan themselves has quality spinners playing with pride all over the world in off course shorter version of the game. This team for reasons we all know practice in their adopted home in India and for this particular tour spent time in hotter condition in Abu Dhabi prior to coming to Bangladesh . In view of above Bangladesh think tank may have to rue its decision though it is a bit too early concluding.
However, Bangladesh plan got a reverse swing when young Rashid Khan entering the record book as the youngest captain to lead a team in test won the toss and elected to bat. Shakib also rewrote a new pace when Taijul and himself opened the attack. First time in test history two left arm spinners operated with the new ball in the first innings on day one. Taijul struck early blow clean bowling Ihsanullah in the 3rd over of the match. Taijul himself became the fastest bowler for his team taking 100th test wicket in his 25th test overtaking his skipper Shakib Al Hasan. Mohammed Rafique is the only other spinner who took 100 wickets. All three are left arm spinners any way. Taijul went on taking the wicket of the other opener Zadran reducing the tourists to 2/48 by the 25thover. However, Rahmat Shah was looking solid. Him and Hasmatullah Shahidi appeared to steady the rocking boat. Shakib kept on rotating his army of spinners. Himself and Miraj were teasing all right but could not make the break through. He introduced Mahmudullah on the stroke of lunch. The bowler with golden arm struck in his first over claiming the wicket of Shahidi. Afghans went to lunch at 3/77. Bangladesh started hoping against hope.
But Afghans bounced back with courage and determination in the post lunch session. Two quality batsmen Rahmat Shah and former Afghan Captain Asghar Afghan defying everything that Shakib and co throw at them steered their team out of troubled water. As many as 7 spinners and the lone occasional medium pacer Soumya were tried with no avail. After team the two resumed. Rahmat Shah soon entered history scoring the much coveted century the first by an Afghan batsman in test cricket. His innings of 102 in 187 deliveries had 10 fours and 2 sixes. The 120 runs fourth wicket partnership not only consolidated the innings but who know may achieve still much more dividends when judged at the end of the test. However, after his departure felling to a sharp catch in the slip off the bowling of Off spinner Naeem, Mohammad Nabi was cleaned up in the same over. Afghans suddenly depleted to 5/197. A little known Afsar Zazai joined Asghar. The two carried on and till the stumps battled together producing unbroken 74 runs in the 6th wicket. Asghar with 88 was looking good for a century and Zazai also looked solid on 35.
Bangladesh bowling over rate was great. Even with 20 minutes lost through rain interruption Bangladesh managed bowling 96 overs on the day. 271/5 may be bordering on the margin of safety. But with the prospect of wicket developing turn and bounce as match progresses Bangladesh may have to struggle unless they can wrap up Afghans quick on day two and bat out of their skin against top quality Afghan spinners of different brand.
Bangladesh would need producing special tricks out of their hat to prove that the match plan of team think tank does not boomerang on them.
BDST: 1037 HRS, Sep 6, 2019
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