Pacer Ebadot Hossain was the most successful bowler for Bangladesh, returning figures of four for 47 as the Tigers bundled out Afghanistan for 146 in their first innings on Day 2 of their one-off Test in Mirpur yesterday. Bangladesh took a huge 370-run lead in their second innings by the end of day’s play. Photo: Firoz Ahmed
Cries of ‘Ebadot! Ebadot!’ came from the stands as Ebadot Hossain walked back to the dressing room, signalling that Bangladesh had found pace heroes to cheer on. Despite adding just 20 runs and losing five wickets as their innings ended disastrously short of expectations at 382 all out, the Tigers’ pacers rose to the opportunity provided by the conditions as Bangladesh took a big lead after the second day of the lone Test against Afghanistan.
Bangladesh had the kind of stroke of luck that only appears a few times in Test cricket. Both sides had wanted to bowl first with the greenish top on offer but Afghanistan were bamboozled somewhat after winning the toss as the ball neither zipped nor moved much despite the grass. The toss turned out to be a good one to lose as Bangladesh scored at over 4.5 runs an over on the opening day.
Najmul Hossain struck an attacking 146 while Mahmudul Hasan Joy also stuck around, making an important 76. The 212-run partnership between the two made a remarkable difference due to the mere fact that Bangladesh batted in the best batting conditions as Mirpur turned into a seaming track.
Despite having the experienced Mushfiqur Rahim and Mehedi Hasan at the crease, Bangladesh’s innings was uprooted in seven overs on day two, six after the new ball was taken. But as the Afghan pacers’ ran riot, Bangladesh’s pacers were egged on by their counterparts’ fearsomeness in that morning session.
Mushfiqur Rahim had been done in by a sharp, rising delivery which he only could fend off to the slip cordon. The Bangladesh dressing room, especially the pace trio, took a cue from the bounce and movement on offer on a slightly gloomy and fairly windy day.
Ebadot bowled a mean rising delivery himself to remove Afghan opener Abdul Malik which complemented the one that Nijatullah Masood had bowled earlier in the morning.
“It didn’t matter that we lost wickets as we scored a lot of runs. Because the weather was gloomy, we wanted to get on to the field quickly and get their wickets as quickly as possible,” Ebadot said, adding that he always had confidence.
Asked if the way the Nijatullah got Mushfiqur out was inspiring, he said: “Certainly. As the weather was good, there was bounce. When I was bowling from one side, the wind really helped me.”
Ebadot’s four for 47 and Shoriful’s two for 28 completed a quick turnaround as Afghanistan were bowled out for 146 in 39 overs.
Bangladesh reached the end of the second day having stretched their lead to 370 as Shanto and Zakir Hasan both remained unbeaten on identical scores of 54 off 64 deliveries.
If Chandika Hathurusingha wanted to Test his batters in such conditions and gauge his pacers’ strengths, he has found some answers despite Afghanistan’s inexperience in the format as Bangladesh dominated proceedings on Day Two despite Afghanistan’s turnaround with the ball.
