Afghanistan extend control with Ibrahim Zadran, Asghar Afghan fifties

VIEW MATCH CENTRE

Debutant Ibrahim Zadran made his maiden Test half-century and found support in Asghar Afghan, who struck his second fifty of the match. With Rashid Khan unleashing another flurry of boundaries, the visitors went to stumps on Saturday, 6 September, at 237/8.

This comes after they bundled Bangladesh out for 205 in their first innings. Rashid became the first man to strike a fifty and take a five-wicket haul in his first batting and bowling innings as captain, and he'll want little more than to round it off with a Test win.

The hosts, overnight on 194/8, lasted a little under four overs on the third morning. Mohammad Nabi struck with the third ball of the day, castling Taijul Islam to end the ninth-wicket stand at 48. The captain completed the formalities, a googly trapping last man Nayeem Hasan in front. It was Rashid's second Test five-for in just his third match.

Mosaddek Hossain was left stranded on 48, the team deficit at 137 runs.

Shakib Al Hasan, the Bangladesh captain, raised hopes of a fightback by dismissing opener Ihsanullah and Rahmat Shah in consecutive balls. Rahmat, the first-innings centurion, came down the wicket to drive first ball, only to hand the bowler an easy catch.

Seventeen-year-old Zadran, though, settled in and showed his intent, slamming Taijul Islam for a straight six right after surviving a review for lbw. Afghan kept up with him, the duo marrying defence and shot-making to strike a combined six sixes between them.

Taijul, having been slammed for another six over extra-cover by the youngster, was the one to break the fourth-wicket stand at 108. He had Afghan edging to leg slip before Nayeem got Zadran 13 short of his century, caught at long-on going for another big hit.

There was little respite for Bangladesh. Rashid (24) creamed five boundaries off Hasan before being dismissed, and with Afsar Zazai prevailing unscathed on 34*, the hosts must take two more wickets on day four before looking to chase down a target that is edging towards the ominous 400-mark.