Zakir Hasan, Najmul Shanto Fifties Give Bangladesh Huge Lead Over Afghanistan

Zakir Hasan and Najmul Hossain both hit unbeaten half-centuries to guide Bangladesh to 134-1 in their second innings and consolidate the hosts' control in their one-off Test against Afghanistan in Dhaka on Thursday. Bangladesh decided against enforcing the follow-on despite taking a 236-run lead in the first innings and were up by 370 at stumps on the second day, with Zakir and Najmul unbeaten on 54 apiece. The pair added 116 runs in their unbroken second-wicket stand with Mahmudul Hasan (17) the only batsman so far dismissed in the second innings.

Ebadot Hossain returned figures of 4-47 with Bangladesh needing just three overs after tea to wrap up the Afghan innings, with the tourists bowled out for just 146.

Spinners Mehidy Hasan Miraz and Taijul Islam dismissed the final two batsmen, ending with two wickets apiece.

"This is the first time I have seen such a wicket in Bangladesh. We are fortunate to play with three fast bowlers on this kind of pitch," said Ebadot.

Afghanistan coach Jonathan Trott all but conceded the match but said his side still had the chance to keep their pride intact.

"Obviously, the way the pitch is playing as well, it's gonna be tough," he said.

"You've just got to fight to put up as strong a performance as possible with a bit of pride and show a bit of character."

Ebadot and Shoriful Islam reduced Afghanistan to 51-4 shortly after the lunch break, before Nasir Jamal and Afsar Zazai put up some resistance with a 65-run fifth-wicket stand.

Mehidy broke the partnership by trapping Jamal lbw for 35 and Ebadot soon dismissed Afsar for 36 to expose Afghanistan's tail.

Bangladesh resumed their first innings at 362-5 but were all out for 382 early in the morning as the hosts lost their last five wickets