Bangladesh has secured a significant win over Afghanistan in the first Test of their ongoing series. Bangladesh emerged victorious by a whopping margin of 546 runs, marking the biggest Test victory margin by runs in nearly 90 years. The moment of glory was induced by Taskin Ahmed’s career-best 4-37. The match was ended in the extended opening session of the fourth day in Dhaka after Ahmed’s bouncer hit Zahir Khan forcing the final batsman to retire hurt.
Considering the mammoth target of 662 runs, the Afghanicstan batting line-up was no match for the hosts as Bangladesh secured the biggest Test win by runs since Australia’s 562-run victory over England in 1934. Bangladesh captain Liton Das expressed his satisfaction, attributing the win to the batsmen’s aggressiveness, given that the wicket was not that easy. He added, You cannot ask for more after winning by this kind of margin.
The win marked more than a double Bangladesh’s previous record win over Zimbabwe by 226 runs at Chittagong in 2005. Afghanistan coach Jonathan Trott mourned the very disappointing defeat to mark his side’s first Test in more than two years, admitting that the team was lacking in all three disciplines and needed to improve their mentality.
Taskin was denied his maiden five-wicket haul when he bowled last man Zahir Khan in the 33rd over of the innings, only to be signaled a no ball by the umpire. Afghanistan lost a wicket in the third over of the morning when Nasir Jamal edged Ebadot Hossain to the keeper. Meanwhile, Shoriful Islam claimed three wickets and Taskin Ahmed took four, leading the Bangladesh attack.
Bangladesh made 382 runs on a green wicket in the first innings and bowled out Afghanistan for 146 to take a 236-run lead. Afghanistan won the only other Test between the two teams when they beat Bangladesh by 224 runs at Chittagong in 2019.
Bangladesh: Zakir Hasan, Mahmudul Hasan Joy, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Mominul Haque, Mushfiqur Rahim, Litton Das(WK/C), Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Taijul Islam, Taskin Ahmed, Shoriful Islam, Ebadot Hossain
Afghanistan: Ibrahim Zadran, Abdul Malik, Rahmat Shah, Hashmatullah Shahidi(C), Nasir Jamal, Karim Janat, Afsar Zazai(WK), Amir Hamza, Zahir Khan, Nijat Masood, Yamin Ahmadzai
Umpires – Chris Brown(New Zealand), Paul Reiffel (Australia), Adrian Holdstock(South Africa TV)
