Chattogram, Sep 7: Afghanistan put themselves firmly in the driver's seat on Day 3 of their one-off Test against Bangladesh in Chattogram on Saturday. After dismissing Bangladesh for 205, Afghanistan's lead ballooned to 374 largely thanks to a 108-run stand between Asghar Afghan and 17-year-old opener Ibrahim Zadran.
Bangladesh started the day on 196/8 and Mohammad Nabi, playing his last Test, took the first wicket of the day off his third ball, bowling Tauijul Islam through the gate. Two overs later, Afghanistan skipper Rashid Khan finished things off by trapping Nayeem Hasan LBW, thus completing his five-wicket haul.
Afghanistan started their second innings with a lead of 137. Bangladesh star Shakib-al-Hasan however ensured that they didn't get off to a smooth start, taking back to back wickets off his second and third ball in the opening over. He first trapped Ihsanullah before the stumps and then dismissed first innings centurion Rahmat Shah with a catch off his own bowling. Hashmatullah Shahidi was then dismissed on 12 by Nayeem Hasan after which Asghar and Zadran deflated the hosts for a better part of the next 47 overs.
