Abu Dhabi:Mushfiqur Rahim closed in on a half-century to guide Bangladesh to 124-3 at tea on Day 3 of the one-off cricket Test against Afghanistan at Sheikh Zayed Stadium, extending their lead to 230 runs.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, Bangladesh had initially secured a 106-run first innings lead after bowling Afghanistan out for 240. This was due to a significant performance from Hasan Mahmud, whose pace attack dismantled the Afghan batting lineup.
In their second innings, Bangladesh began cautiously. Tanzid Hasan Tamim, after scoring 83 runs in the first innings, managed 31 before his dismissal. Opener Shadman Islam and Mominul Haque were also dismissed cheaply, leaving Bangladesh at a vulnerable 53-3.
However, a partnership between skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto and Mushfiqur Rahim steadied the team. Their unbroken 71-run stand put Bangladesh in a strong position, with Mushfiqur on 48 and Shanto on 27 at tea.
Afghanistan's bowling attack saw Yamin Ahmadzai taking 2-41 and Mohammad Saleem 1-27 by the end of the session. Earlier in the match, Hasan Mahmud's remarkable bowling, which included a hat-trick, saw Afghanistan's hopes diminished as they lost six wickets for just 29 runs. Hasan completed the innings with figures of 5-55, while Ebadot Hossain contributed with 4-56.