Twitter Reactions: Rain makes Afghanistan wait for a memorable win over Bangladesh

Only 50.5 were possible on the fourth day of the one-off Test between Bangladesh and Afghanistan in Chattogram. At the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium, the Tigers looked completely out of sorts after being asked to chased down a monstrous 398.  There was a number of rain delays and had the heavens not opened up, the visiting team could’ve scripted their second Test win on Day four itself.

Bangladesh do well until Lunch

The visitors resumed the day’s play with a lead of 374 runs. Afsar Zazai (48) added 14 runs to his overnight tally and remained unbeaten. Yamin Ahmadzai was the first wicket to fall on the day via a run out and Mehidy Hasan Miraz got rid of Zahir Khan to bowl the Afghans out for 260 in 90.1 overs. With a massive target ahead of them, the Tigers opened made an alteration to the batting lineup.

Instead of Soumya Sarkar, Liton Das opened alongside Shadman Islam, who got a duck in the first innings. Sarkar came to bat in the lower middle-order. The move to promote Liton worked to some extent as Bangladesh ended the first session with 30 on the board in nine overs. Only over 15 overs were bowled as rain poured in. The conditions looked gloomy, so did the Tigers’ fate in the game.

Afghan spinners get hosts in the doldrums

In the second over of the post Lunch session, chinaman bowler Zahir Khan struck Liton in front and gave Afghanistan the much-needed breakthrough. Mosaddek Hossain batted maturely in the first innings and he was promoted to three. But he played a poor stroke and became Zahir’s second victim. Mushfiqur Rahim (23) hit four fours and was seeming to get the measure of the bowling.

Rashid Khan struck him in front to cut short his stay. Mushfiqur went for the DRS, but to no avail. Mominul Haque, Bangladesh’s only half-centurion in the game thus far, got out to Rashid after getting only three. Mahmudullah’s horror run continued as Rashid picked his third wicket.

However, Shadman made amends after bagging a duck in the first innings. He put his head down to play 114 balls in which he got 41 runs before Mohammad Nabi got him LBW. Shakib Al Hasan (39*) and Sarkar was in the middle when rain returned with their team needing a significant 262 runs.

Here is how Twitter opined on the day’s play

Disappointingly, RAIN has stopped play in the #BANvAFG Test with Afghanistan just 4 wickets away from a well deserved victory.

— ThePoppingCrease (@PoppingCreaseSA) September 8, 2019

262 runs and four wickets left. Day 5 with no rain should see Afghanistan make history. #BANvAFG

— Nikhil ???? (@CricCrazyNIKS) September 8, 2019

If Afghanistan win this test, their rating points will rise up to 55 which will be 10 short of Bangladesh’s 65. Bangladesh will in turn lose 4 points. #BANvAFG

— Karthik Raj (@kartcric) September 8, 2019

Rashid Khan most likely ending up with a Man of the Match in his first test as captain while leading Afghanistan to an historic first test win in the process. #BANvAFG

— Tareque Laskar (@tarequelaskar) September 8, 2019

Bangladesh lose their 6th in Chattogram! Rashid Khan’s googly gets Mahmdullah caught at short leg for 7.

Afghanistan need just 4 more wickets for victory, but Shakib is still there & scoring fluently, joined by Soumya who is a genuine batsman.@guerillacricket#BANvAFG????????????????????

— Nakul Pande (@NakulMPande) September 8, 2019

They beat Ireland away, and now close to beating Bangladesh away , good omens for test cricket #banvafg

— Vinay RKM (@vinzalwayz) September 8, 2019

Hunger to win clearly the difference, as Afghanistan look set to beat Bangladesh at their den #banvafg

— Vinay RKM (@vinzalwayz) September 8, 2019

Bangladesh tasting their own bitter medicine of playing spin on day 5 to save a Test… this happens when you get into a template of winning matches on turning pitches at home.. #BANvAFG

— Jatin Sharma (@jatincricket) September 8, 2019

Bangladesh looks headed for a crushing loss against test cricket new kids on the block Afghanistan. #BANvAFG

— Richardson Mzaidume (@hlubizer) September 8, 2019