Afghanistan’s score was reduced to 144/8 by Bangladesh’s dominant post-lunch session on Day 2 at the Sher-e-Bangladesh National Stadium in Dhaka. The hosts have taken five wickets and are on the verge of establishing a commanding first-innings lead; a follow-on opportunity is also a possibility.
After lunch, Afghanistan’s captain Hashmatullah Shahidi was bowled by Shoriful Islam, leaving the visitors in a precarious position at 51/4. With all the experienced batsmen out and an extended tail to follow, Bangladesh was sensing blood, but a counterattacking partnership between Nasir Jamal and Afsar Zazai temporarily defied Bangladesh.
Although there were some streaky runs as well, the pair tallied 65 runs in only 70 balls thanks to a flurry of boundaries. The second breakthrough for Bangladesh came from spin after the pacers had dominated for the majority of the day. Mehidy Hasan trapped Nasir Jamal LBW, then Ebadot Hossain struck in the first over of his new spell by removing Afsar Zazai.
Karim Janat now has the no.10 and no.11 batsmen by his side as he attempts to reduce Bangladesh’s first innings lead.
Brief scores: Bangladesh 382 (Shanto 146, Mahmudul 76, Masood 5-79) vs Afghanistan 144/8 (Zazai 36, Jamal 35, Ebadot 4-47)
