Missed review adds to bowling woes

Bangladesh’s bowlers endured a frustrating outing on the second day of the one-off Test against Afghanistan yesterday, claiming just four wickets as the hosts finished in a strong position in Abu Dhabi.

After adding 29 runs to their overnight score, the Tigers lost their remaining two wickets early in the morning to be bowled out for 346 in their first innings, with off-spinner Nayeem Hasan remaining unbeaten on 35 at the Zayed Cricket Stadium.

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With five experienced bowlers in their line-up, Bangladesh would have expected to put Afghanistan’s inexperienced batting order under pressure. However, the latter negotiated the challenge confidently, reaching 211 for four at stumps, trailing by 135 runs.

Afghanistan skipper Rahmat Shah, who has featured in all 13 Tests played by his country, was Bangladesh’s chief tormentor, remaining unbeaten on 84 off 186 balls and moving closer to his fourth Test century. Opener Abdul Malik, whose previous highest Test score was 30 in six matches, also impressed with 62 off 120 deliveries, registering his maiden Test fifty.

Pace duo Ebadot Hossain (2-50) and Hasan Mahmud (1-36) shared three wickets between them, bowling 11 and 16 overs, respectively, in scorching heat. However, their three-pronged spin attack of Taijul Islam, Mehidy Hasan Miraz and Nayeem, who bowled 51 overs collectively, managed just one breakthrough. Miraz dismissed Hashmatullah Shahidi for a two-ball duck.

Bangladesh spin coach Mushtaq Ahmed, however, remained confident that his bowlers could make an impact as the match progressed, provided the batters extended their first-innings lead in the second innings.

“I think spinners are going to play a huge role because, for the first two, three, four days… the first three days, I think, the pitch is going to get slower and, obviously, there is going to be less spin. But with the passage of time, because of this weather, I think the pitch is going to start spinning more,” Mushtaq said after the day’s play.

“Hopefully, if we can defend the score and score more runs in the second innings, we can put them under pressure.”

Besides their lack of penetration, the visitors also missed opportunities in the field, while their decision-making with reviews left much to be desired.

On just the fifth ball of Afghanistan’s innings, Bangladesh reviewed an appeal for caught behind against Sediqullah Atal. Replays, however, showed a clear gap between bat and ball, with the delivery merely brushing the batter’s pads on its way to the wicketkeeper.

In Hasan’s next over, Atal edged one through to the wicketkeeper, but Bangladesh did not review the decision after the umpire turned down the appeal. Skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto was visibly frustrated with himself after watching the replay on the big screen, even making a kicking motion in frustration.

Afghanistan were four without loss at the time, with Atal on the same score. Although Hasan eventually dismissed the opener for 17 in the 11th over, Afghanistan’s openers had already blunted the new ball, easing the pressure on the batters who followed.

Bangladesh will now hope to break the 72-run fifth-wicket partnership between Rahmat and Ikram Alikhil -- unbeaten on 26 at stumps -- early today.