Bangladesh seems to be all set to claim another historic victory in the ongoing one-off Test match against Afghanistan. Bangladesh declared their second innings at 425-4 on the third day of the Test match, leaving Afghanistan with a massive target to chase. The visitors ended the day’s play with just 45 runs on the board, with two quick wickets down. Bangladesh needs just eight more wickets to record the second-largest Test victory margin ever.
Bangladesh dominated the third day’s play, thanks to the brilliant performances of Najmul Hossain and Mominul Haque. Najmul became the second Bangladeshi batsman to score a century in each innings of a Test match, following in the footsteps of Mominul. He scored 124 runs in his second innings after a brilliant knock of 146 runs in the first innings.
Mominul also played a vital knock of unbeaten 121 runs, with Liton Das at the other end scoring 66 runs. The duo added 143 runs for the fifth wicket, frustrating the Afghanistan bowlers. Leg-spinner Zahir Khan took two wickets for Afghanistan, including Najmul’s scalp.
Earlier in the day, Bangladesh resumed on 134-1, with Najmul and Zakir Hasan batting comfortably. However, Afghanistan managed to break their partnership when an edge from Najmul’s bat went to the boundary line, where Nasir Jamal stopped the ball and relayed it to Ibrahim. The direct throw found Zakir Hasan well short of his crease.
Bangladesh had scored 382 runs in their first innings before bowling out Afghanistan for just 146. Afghanistan had won the only other Test match between the two teams in 2019. However, their chances of another victory look bleak with just two days left to play.
