Bangladesh opener Najmul Hossain Shanto blows a kiss as he celebrates his brilliant century on the opening day of the one-off Test against Afghanistan at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur yesterday. PHOTO: FIROZ AHMED
Bangladesh were in a strong position at the end of the opening day of the one-off Test against Afghanistan yesterday although their innings had created the potential for far more favourable circumstances after centurion Najmul Hossain Shanto and opener Mahmudul Hasan Joy did the heavy lifting at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium.
It indeed turned out to be a good toss to lose for Liton Das after Afghanistan elected to bowl, hoping the greenish surface would get the new ball talking. Afghanistan’s debutant pacer Nijatullah Masood got one to shape away from youngster Zakir Hasan with his very first delivery in Test cricket, which was followed by loud appeals and celebrations only to be denied by the umpire. Afghanistan reviewed quickly and got their man as replays showed the ball taking the slightest outside-edge.
Perhaps Afghanistan expected conditions to be more suitable for bowlers on the opening day, but they lacked discipline.
The visitors were expected to threaten more with the new ball, but Shanto’s brisk knock was assertive from the beginning. Two drives in the third over signalled his confidence and fluency and in the first session alone, he hit 11 fours on his way to 64.
On the other hand, Afghanistan’s bowlers showed their inexperience in the longest format as their line and length wavered frequently. Either they bowled too full or too short and oftentimes with a lot of room. Boundaries flowed as a result and the Shanto-Joy duo ensured Bangladesh reached lunch at 116 for one after just 24 overs, scoring at 4.83 runs per over. The 100-run partnership had come off 126 deliveries.
In the second session, the Afghan attack toiled further. No-balls and overthrows were part and parcel of their bowling effort. Left-arm wrist spinner Zahir Khan alone bowled eight no-balls on the day.
Meanwhile, Shanto began to find the boundaries even more frequently. The sumptuous drives and hand speed coming in to pull anything short was a trademark of Shanto’s knock as he reached his maiden ton on Bangladesh soil and his third Test ton off just 118 deliveries.
At the other end, Joy too grew in confidence but his lapse in concentration saw him guiding Rahmat Shah to the slip cordon and departing for 76.
The partnership produced 212 runs, the second-highest second-wicket stand for Bangladesh in Tests. Mominul Haque struggled early, not looking very comfortable, as spinners started getting more purchase. The former Test skipper then nicked a short delivery from Masood after Tea down his leg side and departed after scoring 15.
Shanto carried on with his free-flowing knock and got the rub of the green when he was bowled off a no-ball by Masood but he eventually perished to Amir Hamza after a 176-ball 146, holed out at deep mid-wicket.
The third session proved to be the most productive for Afghanistan as they landed Liton Das’s scalp, out after scoring 9. There was some uncertainty in the Bangladesh ranks but Mushfiqur Rahim and Mehedi Hasan Miraz ensured it was the hosts’ day with a 72-run unbroken stand to take Bangladesh to 362 for five, posed for a big first innings total on Day Two.
