Chattogram Test: Afghanistan post challenging 342 in first innings

Resuming the overnight score 271 for five, Afghanistan ended their first innings at 342 all-out in 117 overs on Friday at Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium in Chattogram.

This is Afghanistan’s highest Test total. Their previous highest total was 314 notched against Ireland in March this year at Dehradun.

Rahmat Shah (102) and Asghar Afghan (92) were the two main pillars of Afghanistan’s first innings. While Rahmat made his name ineffaceable hitting the maiden Test ton for his country, Asghar missed the chance of being second to do so for eight runs.

Afghanistan lost their last five wickets adding 71 runs in 21 overs. Taijul Islam, who bagged two wickets on day one, scalped two more on day two while Shakib Al Hasan also grabbed two.

Mehidy Hasan Miraz finished Afghanistan’s innings taking the last wicket removing a stubborn Rashid Khan for 51.

Taijul removed Asghar as the first wicket of the day when the batsman went for a sweep but ended with skying the ball. Mushfiqur Rahim took a regulation catch to remove him.

Asghar made a 80-run stand in the sixth wicket along with the wicket-keeper batsman Afsar Zazai (41). However, at the end of the innings, Rashid’s blitz helped Afghanistan pass 300 runs mark.

Rashid amassed 51 runs off 61 before falling prey to Mehidy’s super bowled and caught effort.

Taijul was the best bowler of Bangladesh in this innings grabbing four wickets for 116 runs in 41 overs, Shakib and Nayeem Hasan took two wickets each.