Afghanistan celebrate the wicket of Zakir. Photo: Firoz Ahmed
Afgjhanistan’s Nijatullah Masood had memorable start to his Test debut, picking up the wicket of Bangladesh opener Zakir Hasan in his very first delivery. Zakir departed for 1.
The delivery from Nijatuallah in the second over, shaped across Zakir and the whole Afghanistan team went up in appeal but the umpire remained unmoved. Afghan skipper Hashmatullah Shahidi did not hesitate to take the review and replays revealed that the ball took the feintest nick off the bat before going through to wicket-keeper Afsar Zazai.
Nijatullah became the first bowler from Afghanistan to achieve the feat of taking a wicket in first ball of debut while he is the 22nd bowler in the world to achieve the feat.
Bangladesh reached 27 for 1 after six overs with Mahmudul Hasan Joy and Najmul Hossain Shanto at the crease.
Shanto, Joy negotiate first hour
Following the early wicket of Zakir Hasan, Mahmudul Hasan and Najmul Hossain negotiated the first hour’s play without any more loss of wickets before Drinks were called. Shanto in particular looked in good touch, playing some solid drives through the off side. A pull and a flick off Nijatullah, both going for four also showed his ability to pick anything off slightly short or too full as he reached 24 off 25 deliveries. Joy on the other hand has been patient during a 41-ball 11 as Bangladesh reached 45 for 1 in 11 overs.
