Afghans fight back against Bangladesh

Saleem takes three wickets after the visitors' flying start in one-off Test Photo: ACB Afghanistan fought back after Bangladesh made a flying start to reach 317-8 at stumps in their first innings on the opening day of their one-off Test at the Zayed Cricket Stadium at Abdu Dhabi on Friday. Opener Tanzid Hasan struck a blistering 83 off 71 balls as Bangladesh raced to 134-1 by lunch after electing to bat first. However, Afghanistan tightened their bowling in the middle session, triggering a collapse before the Tigers recovered through Litton Das and Mehidy Hasan Miraz. Bangladesh lost four wickets in the second session to slip to 226-5 at tea, with three of those dismissals coming for just four runs. Shadman Islam made 67 off 111 balls, while Mominul Haque contributed 39 from 70 deliveries. Captain Najmul Hossain Shanto chipped in with 29 off 42 balls before falling to Qais Ahmad, and experienced batter Mushfiqur Rahim was bowled by Yamin Ahmadzai for a seven-ball duck. Tanzid, who hit eight fours and four sixes, had looked set for a second Test century before Ismat Alam induced an edge that was caught by wicketkeeper Ikram Alikhil, ending a 124-run opening partnership. Afghanistan continued to chip away at the Bangladesh batting line-up, but Litton and Miraz steadied the innings with a 62-run partnership for the sixth wicket. Miraz was bowled by Ismat for 24 off 67 balls, bringing an end to the stand, before Litton reached his 21st Test fifty. The wicket-keeper batsman scored 53 off 89 deliveries, including four fours, but fell to Mohammad Saleem. Saleem then bowled Hasan Mahmud for two to claim his third wicket and leave Bangladesh eight down. Nayeem Hasan remained unbeaten on 11, while Taijul Islam was not out on four as the visitors reached 317-8 after 84 overs. Saleem finished with 3-70, while Ismat claimed 2-20 from 12.4 overs. Yamin gave early breakthroughs and he finished the day with 2-62. The contest marks Bangladesh's first-ever Test at a neutral venue, with Afghanistan looking to build on their late recovery when play resumes on Saturday.