Afghanistan [342 & 260] beat Bangladesh [205 & 173] by 224 runs in one-off Test match in Bangladesh

[MenInG]

Both teams are well-stocked on the spin front, but the Chittagong weather could also bring the fast bowlers into play, making life hard for batsmen in the one-off Test between Bangladesh and Afghanistan.

Bangladesh v Afghanistan, only Test
Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium, Chittagong
05 September; 10:00am local time, 04:00am GMT

This will be the ultimate battle of spinners. On one side stand Taijul Islam, Nayeem Hasan and Mehidy Hasan; on the other are Mohammad Nabi and Zahir Khan. Even the two captains, Rashid Khan and Shakib Al Hasan, are the leading spinners of their respective sides. But in rainy Chittagong, fast bowlers are in with a shot as well. In short, batsmen are going to have it tough in this one-off Test.

This will be Afghanistan’s first Test since their maiden win in the format over Ireland earlier this year. On the one previous occasion that they played an Asian team in their conditions, against India in their long-format debut, they were beaten by an innings and 262 runs inside two days in Bengaluru. Bangladesh are just as strong at home, and equally capable of inflicting similar damage, and in that remains new captain Rashid’s challenge. That task has already been made significantly harder due to the absence of Mohammad Shahzad, their talismanic opener, who has been suspended for a year by the Afghanistan Cricket Board for a code of conduct breach.

Bangladesh have been on a bit of a downward curve, having lost six of their last seven internationals, starting from the closing stages of the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2019. After bowing out of that tournament, which they finished eighth out of ten teams, they were swept 3-0 by Sri Lanka in an ODI series away from home. That, however, was in the absence of Shakib, their World Cup hero and among the top three all-rounders in the world in Test cricket. His arrival will hugely uplift the team, as they seek to return to winning ways.

Remember the last time

This is the maiden Test between these two teams. The last international between them took place during the World Cup. Bangladesh came out on top in that contest by 62 runs, after Mushfiqur Rahim’s 83 and a five-for from Shakib in Southampton.



What they said

Russell Domingo, Bangladesh head coach: "Their spinners are very threatening. We have seen in the shorter format how dangerous they can be. It's definitely a different format, but they will definitely be threatening. We need to make sure that we respect them while also scoring some against them because it's really important to put pressure on their pace bowlers."

Andy Moles, interim Afghanistan coach: "We have massive respect for Bangladesh, they are a level above us, but we are not scared of them. They have played some wonderful cricket at home for a long time. We are very much the underdogs. We are under no illusion that this is going to be a tough examination of our skills. If we could show application and concentration, we are capable of doing something special over the next five days.”

Conditions

There are significant chances of rain on all five days, so you could see a lot of stoppages and delays due to showers and wet outfield. Chittagong has for long been a bastion of the home team: Bangladesh have lost just two Test here in eight years, to England and Australia.

https://www.icc-cricket.com/news/1336484

[MenInG]

Afghanistan have won the toss and have opted to bat

[MenInG]

Playing XI:Soumya Sarkar, Shadman Islam, Mominul Haque, Mushfiqur Rahim (wk), Shakib Al Hasan (c), Mahmudullah, Liton Das, Mosaddek Hossain, Mehidy Hasan, Taijul Islam, Nayeem Hasan

Playing XI:Ihsanullah Janat, Ibrahim Zadran, Rahmat Shah, Hashmatullah Shahidi, Asghar Afghan, Mohammad Nabi, Afsar Zazai (wk), Rashid Khan (c), Yamin Ahmadzai, Qais Ahmad, Zahir Khan

[sweep_shot]

AFG playing super-slow.

10/0 after 9 overs.

[JattMaula]

AFG playing super-slow.

10/0 after 9 overs.

Bangladesh will bat last on this pitch. Longer Afghanistan bat, better it is for them.

[sweep_shot]

A boundary finally for Afghanistan.

15/0 after 10 overs.

[sweep_shot]

Bangladesh will bat last on this pitch. Longer Afghanistan bat, better it is for them.

Wicket is apparently good for spinners. BD is not playing any pacer! They went with four spinners.

Afghanistan also have just a single pacer.

Just one pacer across both teams. Never seen anything like this before.

[sweep_shot]

19/1 after 12.2 overs.

Bangladesh finally made a breakthrough.

Taijul Islam reaches his 100th Test wicket. Congratulations.

[sweep_shot]

22/1 after 14 overs.

Slow batting.

[sweep_shot]

25/1 after 16 overs.

Marathon tuk-tuk.

[sweep_shot]

Shakib comes on to bowl.

26/1 after 17.2 overs.

[sweep_shot]

29/1 after 19 overs.

Just a single boundary in 19 overs.

[sweep_shot]

30/1 after 20 overs.

Taijul is bowling a very long spell. 10 overs in a row so far.

[andy0204]

30/1 after 20 overs.

Taijul is bowling a very long spell. 10 overs in a row so far.

Will be interesting to see Smith next year batting in Bangladesh because last time he struggled against Shakib and taijul.

[sweep_shot]

Will be interesting to see Smith next year batting in Bangladesh because last time he struggled against Shakib and taijul.

You are correct. BD produced a very slow and low track last time Aussies came in. It paid dividends as BD scripted first ever Test win against Aussies. Smith really struggled. Would love to see that again.

[sweep_shot]

40/1 after 22.5 overs.

Afghans are getting a move on. Couple of boundaries.

[sweep_shot]

Taijul gets his second wicket.

Afghanistan - 48/2 (24.1 overs).

[sweep_shot]

54/2 after 25 overs.

Afghans are trying to accelerate. It cost them a wicket.

[sweep_shot]

55/2 after 26 overs.

Taijul bowled a marathon spell. 13 overs in a row.

[Justcrazy]

55 . 2

Afghanistan need to learn to built partnerships.

[Justcrazy]

Rahmat Shah looking good so far.

[Justcrazy]

Batting would be really tough in the last innings. Afghanistan need to bat really well here , it can put pressure on BD.

[Justcrazy]

three down

[MenInG]

Ban vs Afg, Chattogram

Day 1: Lunch Break - Afghanistan opt to bat

AFG - 77/3 (32.4 Ovs)

CRR: 2.36

[MenInG]

Rain delay.

[topspin]

Brilliant partnership of 114 between Asghar Afghan and Rahmat Shah. Still going.

[Nikhil_cric]

This is very disappointing from BD. A test loss to Zimbabwe was bad enough . But losing to Afghanistan? I hope not.

[Abdullah719]

Rahmat Shah out after a maiden Test hundred.

[Sir-fraz]

afg looks like they will take over bng position in the next decade

[Sir-fraz]

Afghanistan
222/5 * (79.1 ov)
Bangladesh

[Khan12]

Embarrassing to see no pacer by Bangladesh and 1 from Afghanistan. Shows what pathetic pitches they create.

[sweep_shot]

Poor performance from BD.

Need to get Afghanistan out below 350.

Their blunder was when they didn't pick a single pacer.

[MenInG]

AFG 271/5 (96.0) CRR: 2.82
Day 1: Stumps

[Firebat]

Rahmat makes history with Afghanistan’s maiden Test century

Afghanistan ended day one of their first Test against Bangladesh on 271/5, and Rahmat Shah was at the heart of the visitors’ productive opening day as he became his country’s first ever Test centurion.

Rahmat hit 102 from 187 balls, striking 10 fours and two sixes as he achieved his record-breaking feat. It seemed fitting that the right-hander reached the landmark before anyone else; Rahmat struck 98 against Ireland in March, falling just short after being bowled by Tim Murtagh. A second-innings 76 followed to grant him the Player-of-the-Match award, but a three-figure score remained elusive.

He had to wait six months, in which time he was uniquley named and axed as Test skipper without actually leading his side in a game, but Rahmat was able to write his name into the history books for the right reasons today.

He may yet be joined in the hundred club by Asghar Afghan, who finished the day unbeaten on 88 alongside Afsar Zazai, who battled his way to 35 not out. The pair put on 74 before stumps were called, an important stand that came after Bangladesh had struck twice in quick succession.

But the stand for the sixth wicket was simply building on the excellence of Rahmat. He arrived at the crease after Taijul Islam removed Ihsanullah in the 13th over, a beautiful ball from the left-arm spinner turning sharply to break through the defence of the right-hander. Ibrahim Zadran battled hard but then fell tamely, failing to get the right contact on an aerial shot down the ground, and Mahmudullah took a good catch at wide long-off.

Bangladesh continued to interrupt any budding partnerships, and after the dismissal of Hashmatullah Shahidi – who edged to slip off Mahmudullah – Afghanistan were 77/3.

Asghar was the perfect foil for Rahmat as the pair denied Bangladesh’s spinners control, and together they put on 120. Rahmat’s timing was impressive, particularly when Bangladesh’s spinner’s dropped shot, cutting and pulling away expertly.

He brought up his ton with a late cut but fell shortly after for 102, pushing forward to offer an edge to slip from the bowling of Nayeem Hasan. Mohammad Nabi was bowled without troubling the scorers but Asghar made sure to build on the platform he had set alongside Rahmat. Asghar's innings thus far has included three fours and two sixes, and he will begin tomorrow 12 runs short of a maiden Test ton.

https://www.icc-cricket.com/news/1337329

[ILcricket]

Afghanistan 342 all out & BD 1/1 . Can the visitors take a small lead ?

[MenInG]

AFG 342
BAN 5/1 (8.4) CRR: 0.58
Day 2: 2nd Session - Bangladesh trail by 337 runs

Wow - Bangladesh in trouble!

[shah_1]

3 wickets down

Bangladesh is in trouble

[MenInG]

Not looking good for Bangladesh.


AFG 342
BAN 64/3 (29.0) CRR: 2.21
Day 2: 2nd Session - Bangladesh trail by 278 runs

Could be very embarrassing if they lose this Test!

[pakistani pride]

Not looking good for Bangladesh.


AFG 342
BAN 64/3 (29.0) CRR: 2.21
Day 2: 2nd Session - Bangladesh trail by 278 runs

Could be very embarrassing if they lose this Test!

Nothing new for them. They have a LONG list of defeats.

[MenInG]

AFG 342
BAN 133/7 (42.3) CRR: 3.13
Day 2: 3rd Session - Bangladesh trail by 209 runs

Disaster for Bangladesh!

[Ram Shekhar]

Bangladesh prepared a spin pitch expecting Afghanistan to roll over.

How did they not know that the opposition had Rashid Khan and Mohammad Nabi who are superior than anything they ever produced in their little country? Poor from the so called test team. After this defeat, Bangladesh's test status has to be revisited.

[Sir-fraz]

AFG 342
BAN 146/8 (51.4) CRR: 2.83
Day 2: 3rd Session - Bangladesh trail by 196 runs

[Zeeraq]

Afghanistan 342
Bangladesh 194/8 (67.0 overs)
Day 2: Stumps - Bangladesh trail by 148 runs

[Pakhs]

Bangladesh prepared a spin pitch expecting Afghanistan to roll over.

How did they not know that the opposition had Rashid Khan and Mohammad Nabi who are superior than anything they ever produced in their little country? Poor from the so called test team. After this defeat, Bangladesh's test status has to be revisited.

It would have been better to produce a flat track. But then Bangladesh were over confident that they can beat times with spin.

[andy0204]

It would have been better to produce a flat track. But then Bangladesh were over confident that they can beat times with spin.

because they beat teams like england and australia but also forgotten that last year they were defeated by zimbabwe.

[Pakhs]

because they beat teams like england and australia but also forgotten that last year they were defeated by zimbabwe.

They will lose to most subcontinent sides on a spinning track.

[andy0204]

They will lose to most subcontinent sides on a spinning track.

I wont be surprise if they lose to ireland.

[andy0204]

Srilanka started playing test matches in 1982,after 15 years of playing test cricket they won test series in pakistan,newzealand and won in england,won the test series against peak australia in 1999 and most importantly they won the world cup(that doesnt include if we are talking about tests).

Bangladesh started playing test matches from 2000 and its been nearly 20 years apart from beating england,australia at home and win in westindies they havent won a single test match in overseas conditions apart from zimbabwe.

[Abdullah719]

Only Test: Rashid Khan stars with bat and ball to put Afghanistan in command

Spin sensation Rashid Khan starred with bat and ball on Friday as Afghanistan took command in the one-off Test against Bangladesh in Chittagong.

Rashid hit 51 off 61 balls to take Afghanistan to 342 in their first innings and then claimed 4-47 to leave Bangladesh struggling at 194 for eight at stumps on the second day.

Mominul Haque scored the only half-century for Bangladesh, 52 off 71 balls, while Mosaddek Hossain remained unbeaten on 44 to spare some blushes for the home side against the Test minnows.

Bangladesh lost a wicket in the very first over of their innings when Yamin Ahmadzai dismissed opener Shadman Islam for nought but Soumya Sarkar and Liton Das steadied the innings with a 49-run stand.

Mohammad Nabi removed Soumya leg-before for 17 before Rashid introduced himself in the attack with immediate impact as he bowled Liton for 33.

Rashid unleashed further destruction in his fifth over, trapping Shakib Al Hasan leg before for 11 and removing Mushfiqur Rahim for a duck two balls later as Bangladesh were reduced to 88-5 at tea.

They did no better after play resumed in the final session as Rashid, who made his debut as the youngest ever Test captain in this Test, bowled Mahmudullah Riyad for seven and left others with little clue against his leg-spin.

Mominul launched a counter-attack to bring his fifty off 69 balls but paid the price for his aggression as he gave a catch to Asghar Afghan at mid-off off Mohammad Nabi, who finished the day with 2-53.

Mosaddek survived the day with tail-ender Taijul Islam, 14 not out, but Bangladesh still face a mountain to climb, trailing Afghanistan by 148 runs in the first innings with just two wickets in hand.

Rashid earlier led Afghanistan’s batting charge with his maiden Test fifty after they lost early wickets, having resumed the second day’s play at 271-5.

Former skipper Asghar, who was unbeaten on 88 overnight, managed to add just four runs to his score before gifting his wicket to left-arm spinner Taijul, just eight runs short of what would have been his first Test century.

Taijul then bowled the other overnight batsman Afsar Zazai for 41 but Rashid, making his debut as the youngest-ever Test captain, launched a counterattack.

Shakib struck back to remove tail-enders Qais Ahmad and Yamin Ahmadzai for nine and zero respectively but Rashid fought on, bringing up his 50 in as many balls.

Off-spinner Mehidy Hasan took a sharp catch off his own bowling to stop Rashid’s onslaught and end Afghanistan’s innings.

Taijul finished with 4-116 for Bangladesh while Shakib and off-spinner Nayeem Hasan claimed two wickets each.

Brief scores: Bangladesh 194/8 (Mominul Haque 52, Mosaddek Hossain 44*; Rashid Khan 4-47) trail Afghanistan (342 all out) by 148 runs.

https://www.cricketcountry.com/news/...command-888618

[jnaveen1980]

Beating Afghanistan will help Bangladesh cricket 'start becoming normal' - Shakib Al Hasan

This was before this test. Bangladesh's fortunes still rely a lot on Shakib's performance. If he doesn't click with bat or ball they are in deep trouble.

[sweep_shot]

Embarrassing stuffs from Bangladesh.

I didn't watch day 2.

Depressing performance.

Well done, Afghanistan.

[MenInG]

BAN 205
AFG 342, 6/2 (5.0) CRR: 1.2
Day 3: 1st Session - Afghanistan lead by 143 runs

Almost a hattrick for Shakib Al Hasan but AFG holding on after bowling out Bangladesh for 205 (Mosaddek Hossain 48*, Rashid Khan 5/55)

[Tiger96]

Lead 148 runs, 8 more wickets to go. I think Afghanistan should look to set a target of 250 runs and that will be enough to put up a strong fight.

[Justcrazy]

Every run is like gold here , but I hope Afghans can score at least 200 here

[Justcrazy]

three down

[Justcrazy]

176 runs ahead till now.

[JattMaula]

Every run is like gold here , but I hope Afghans can score at least 200 here

150 will be more than enough. Kusal and Stokes are miracle innings. Chasing 300 in fourth inning is quite hard.

[Justcrazy]

Afghans need to be careful , need to bat with sense , cannot give them target less than 300

[sweep_shot]

Advantage Afghanistan.

This is Afghanistan's game to lose now.

[sweep_shot]

I must say that Afghanistan should declare quickly. There is chance of rain today and also tomorrow. Rain can ruin it for them.

[MenInG]

BAN 205
AFG 342, 49/3 (23.0) CRR: 2.13
Day 3: 1st Session - Afghanistan lead by 186 runs

[Justcrazy]

Lunch

Afghanistan lead by 193 runs with 7 wickets remaining

[thelandofthebravepeople]

Day 3: Afghanistan lead by 193 runs with 7 wickets remaining

If Afghanistan get anything above 250 it will make it difficult to BD.

[Tiger96]

The lead is 200 now with 7 wickets in hand. Another hundred runs by Afghanistan should make them overwhelming favorites in this contest.

[Tiger96]

Afghanistan seem to be in a hurry.. Boundaries are being leaked here after the lunch break

[MenInG]

BAN 205
AFG 342, 94/3 (34.3) CRR: 2.72
Day 3: 2nd Session - Afghanistan lead by 231 runs

Not looking good for Bangladesh - last real hope was to bowl out AFG for a paltry total but that's not happening.

[happydavy]

This is like 2nd or 3rd test match for Afghanistan? Won't that make them one of the fastest to register a test victory.

[thelandofthebravepeople]

This is like 2nd or 3rd test match for Afghanistan? Won't that make them one of the fastest to register a test victory.

Afghanistan played 2 tests. Against India and Ireland. They won the test against Ireland.

[JattMaula]

Superb batting by Afghans.

Is Ibrahim really 17?

[Hyperion66]

This BD attack is the worst, most worthless, one dimensional and monotonous bowling attack I have ever seen and mind you I have seen Vinay Kumar steaming in at Perth 🔥 🔥

[MenInG]

BAN 205
AFG 342, 156/4 (60.0) CRR: 2.6
Day 3: Tea Break - Afghanistan lead by 293 runs

Looks like game gone.

[Mainul]

What a pity! Afgans are teaching us how to play test cricket. These BD cricketers should leave this game.

[Mainul]

I must say that Afghanistan should declare quickly. There is chance of rain today and also tomorrow. Rain can ruin it for them.

Not really. They are playing against us, a very easy side to beat. Just two and a half sessions will be needed by their bowlers to roll us over

[happydavy]

Though Bangladesh have tasted (rather eaten) defeats in every possible nook and corner of the world, but this should be the most embarrassing of all. To be not even in top 4 Asian teams, must be devastating.

[Bilal Ahmad15]

lol its not even day 4 and Afghanistan has a lead of 338 runs

[hadi123]

Didn't realize till today that this match was in Bangladesh. I was under the impression it was Afghanistan's home series, so was in greater noida

[MenInG]

lol its not even day 4 and Afghanistan has a lead of 338 runs

BAN 205
AFG 342, 209/6 (72.0) CRR: 2.9
Day 3: 3rd Session - Afghanistan lead by 346 runs

[TheRock]

Last 2 days are likely to get washed out. There is 70% chance of rain.

Tigers have got all the luck here.

[MenInG]

Last 2 days are likely to get washed out. There is 70% chance of rain.

Tigers have got all the luck here.

BAN 205
AFG 342, 233/7 (81.2) CRR: 2.86
Day 3: 3rd Session - Afghanistan lead by 370 runs

They need rain

[Bilal Ahmad15]

Stumps - Day 3

Afghanistan lead by 374 runs