On Day 3 of the only Test between Bangladesh and Afghanistan, the hosts created history as they set a massive target of 662. This is the highest target set by a team in Test cricket history (five-day games). The previous best record for highest target set by a team belonged to New Zealand. The kiwis set a target of 660 against Sri Lanka at Christchurch in 2018.
Earlier on Day 3, Najmul Hossain Shanto got to his second Test century in the Test. He became the second Bangladesh batter to score a century in both innings of a Test. In 2018, Mominul Haque hit two centuries against Sri Lanka and became the first Bangladesh batter to achieve the feat.
Shanto’s massive feat, ‘Bazball’ works in Bangladesh
While Shanto scored 124 runs from 151 deliveries including 15 fours, Haque remained unbeaten for 121 off 145 deliveries including 12 fours and one six on Day 3. His unbeaten 143-run partnership for the fifth wicket with Litton Das helped Bangladesh post 425/4 from 80 overs before declaring. Das remained unbeaten for 66 off 81 balls including eight fours.
Bangladesh batters adopted the ‘Bazball’ batting approach against an inexperienced Afghan bowling attack which toiled hard under the sun for most part of three days. Bangladesh bad a run rate of 5.31 in their second innings, their highest in Test cricket.
Afghanistan’s poor start
After taking a serious beating from Bangladesh batters, Afghanistan openers failed to make a mark. Shoriful Islam and Taskin Ahmed took one wicket each to reduce Afghanistan to 7/2 in just two overs. Also, Afghanistan skipper Hashmatullah Shahidi got retired hurt after taking a hit on the helmet from Taskin. At the end of Day 3's play, Afghanistan had a score of 45/2 on the board.
Afghanistan look to avoid record-breaking defeat
On Day 4, Afghanistan will face an uphill task at Shere Bangla National Stadium, Dhaka. Their first aim is likely to be able to avoid biggest loss by an Asian team in Test cricket history. Bangladesh lost to Sri Lanka in 2009 by a massive margin of 465 runs. Also, it has been nearly 89 years since a team lost a Test by 500 or more runs.
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