Twitter Reactions: Ibrahim Zadran and Asghar Afghan turn the screws on Bangladesh in Chattogram

It was another tough day in the office for Bangladesh at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium in Chattogram. Afghanistan continued to take the upper hand by the close of play on the third day, are leading by a massive 374 runs with a couple of days remaining in the one-off Test. The Tigers’ bowling had a sameness to it and he visiting team’s batsmen kept their opposition at the bay.

Shakib breaks through  

The hosts started the day with overnight batsmen Mosaddek Hossain (48*) and Taijul Islam (14) in the middle. But they could only add 11 runs to the team tally as Bangladesh were shot out for 205 in 70.5 overs. Rashid Khan got rid of Taijul to pick up his second five-wicket haul in Test cricket. Mosaddek remained stranded at the other end with Afghanistan getting a decent lead of 137 runs.

With his team in trouble, skipper Shakib Al Hasan didn’t throw in the towel. The left-arm spinner removed Ihsanullah Janat in the first over after getting hit for a boundary. In the same over, he nipped out Rahmat Shah, the first innings’ centurion, for a golden duck. All of a sudden he was on a hat-trick and the captain, slowing, but surely, was starting to script a comeback for the Tigers.

Ibrahim and Afghan steady the ship

Nayeem Hasan found Hashmatullah Shahidi’s outside edge and the visiting team was reduced to 28 for three. From thereon, opener Ibrahim Zadran (87) and Asghar Afghan (50) took the onus of piling on the lead for their team. The duo added 108 runs for the fourth wicket and put Afghanistan in a commanding position. Taijul Islam broke the ominous-looking partnership, getting rid of Afghan.

Ibrahim ran out of patience and tried to smack Nayeem downtown, only for Mominul Haque to take a simple catch in the deep. Mohammad Nabi could only muster eight in his last Test innings before Mehidy Hasan dismissed him. Yet another time Rashid impressed with the bat, having scored 24 runs. Afsar Zazai (34*) is in the middle and he’ll be looking to extend Afghanistan’s lead on Day four.

Here’s how Twitter reacted on Afghanistan’s domination