Tigers Take Full Control Against Afghans
Pacer Ebadot Hossain emerged as the hero for Bangladesh as he spearheaded a sensational bowling performance, leading the team to bundle out Afghanistan for a meager 146 runs in their first innings on the second day of the one-off Test match held in Mirpur. Ebadot’s impressive figures of four for 47 left the Afghan batsmen struggling to cope with his pace and precision.
As Ebadot Hossain made his way back to the dressing room, the crowd erupted into cries of “Ebadot! Ebadot!” The spectators recognized his exceptional contribution and acknowledged Bangladesh’s newfound pace heroes. Despite their innings falling short of expectations at 382 all out, the Tigers’ pacers capitalized on the favorable conditions, giving their team a significant advantage and a commanding lead of 370 runs by the end of the day’s play.
The fortunes of the match took an unexpected turn as both teams expressed a desire to bowl first on a greenish pitch. However, Afghanistan found themselves somewhat bewildered after winning the toss, as the ball failed to generate substantial movement or zip off the surface despite the grass. In a stroke of luck for Bangladesh, losing the toss turned out to be a blessing in disguise, as they capitalized on the ideal batting conditions and scored at an impressive rate of over 4.5 runs per over on the opening day.
Najmul Hossain was the star performer with an attacking innings of 146 runs, while Mahmudul Hasan Joy played a crucial role, contributing 76 runs. The remarkable 212-run partnership between the two batsmen made a significant impact on the match, considering that Bangladesh enjoyed the best batting conditions as the pitch in Mirpur transformed into a seaming track.
Labuschagne, who has been in scintillating form in recent times, has rightly earned his place at the pinnacle of the Test rankings. His consistent performances with the bat have not only brought him personal success but have also played a pivotal role in Australia’s triumphs on the international stage. His technique, temperament, and ability to score runs in all conditions have made him a formidable force in world cricket.
Right beneath Labuschagne is none other than Steve Smith, who has been an integral part of the Australian batting lineup for several years. Smith’s unconventional yet effective batting style has often left bowlers clueless and has earned him a reputation as one of the finest batsmen of his generation. His recent century in Australia’s World Test Championship final victory over India further solidified his position as a key player in the team.
However, on the second day, Bangladesh’s innings suffered a sudden collapse, losing five wickets and adding just 20 runs before being dismissed for 382. The Afghan pacers wreaked havoc during this period, but Bangladesh’s own pacers drew inspiration from their counterparts’ fearsome display.
Mushfiqur Rahim fell victim to a sharp, rising delivery that he could only fend off to the slip cordon. Observing the bounce and movement on offer, the Bangladesh pace trio gathered momentum and took charge of the game.
Ebadot Hossain himself bowled a mean rising delivery to dismiss Afghan opener Abdul Malik, effectively complementing Nijatullah Masood’s earlier delivery that troubled the batsmen in the morning session.
Reflecting on the team’s performance, Ebadot stated, “Losing wickets didn’t matter much as we had already scored a significant number of runs. Given the gloomy weather, our intention was to get on the field quickly and take their wickets as swiftly as possible.” He expressed his confidence and belief in his abilities.
When asked about the inspiration drawn from Nijatullah’s dismissal of Mushfiqur, Ebadot responded, “Certainly. The weather was favorable, and the pitch offered good bounce. The wind also played a crucial role in my bowling.”
Ebadot’s impressive figures of four for 47, combined with Shoriful Islam’s two for 28, led to Afghanistan’s swift collapse, with the team getting bowled out for a paltry 146 runs in just 39 overs.
At the end of the second day’s play, Bangladesh had extended their lead to a massive 370 runs. Najmul Hossain Shanto and Zakir Hasan remained unbeaten, both scoring identical half-centuries of 54 runs off 64 deliveries.
The match provided an excellent opportunity for Chandika Hathurusingha, the coach of Bangladesh, to test his batsmen and evaluate the strength of his pacers in challenging conditions. Despite Afghanistan’s relative inexperience in Test cricket, Bangladesh maintained their dominance throughout the second day, further solidifying their position in the match.
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