Twitter Reactions: Rashid Khan-inspired Afghanistan annihilate Bangladesh in Chattogram

Ahead of the first day’s play, it seemed as if only the rain gods could save Bangladesh and rob Afghanistan of a historic victory at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium in Chattogram. The atmosphere remained for a chunk of the day , but it couldn’t stop the Afghans from scripting a victory by 224 runs. It only took 15.3 overs for them to get the remaining Tigers’ wicket.

Zahir Khan gets the prized Shakib  

After rain dominated proceedings, it was eventually decided that there would be a minimum of 18.3 overs to be bowled provided light permits. For the Tigers, in the middle was the left-handed pair of Shakib Al Hasan (44) and Soumya Sarkar (15). It went without saying that a lot depended on the duo as they were the only specialist batters remaining. But chinaman bowler Zahir Khan had other ideas.

The tweaker churned out a short ball and it went away from Shakib. However, the southpaw went for a cut and got a thin edge. Afsar Zazai didn’t make any mistake in pouching the ball. It happened in the very first ball of the day and Bangladesh were pushed on the backfoot right away. Mehidy Hasan Miraz joined Soumya in the middle and he looked solid in the middle, having faced 28 balls.

Rashid Khan runs through the Bangladesh tail

But it was the guile of Rashid Khan, which accounted for his wicket. Mehidy was a long way forward and he took the Decision Review System (DRS), but to no avail. Taijul Islam showed guts and determination in the first innings. Unfortunately, Rashid got rid of him for a duck. It was an unlucky dismissal, since Taijul got a big inside edge and the hosts had already used up their priceless reviews.

Even Soumya, at the non-striker’s end were disappointed. Then it was the turn of Nayeem Hasan to give his senior partner company. Amidst play, it again started to rain, but the umpires waited for the downpour to clear and it stopped raining soon. In the 62nd over, Sarkar got an inside edge, giving Rashid his sixth wicket. Ibrahim Zadran took a sharp catch at short-leg and erupted in jubilation.

Here is how Twitter lauded Afghanistan on the historic victory

Australia couldn’t, West Indies couldn’t, England couldn’t and many other teams recently didn’t win the test series in Bangladesh but playing test cricket since 2018 June and Afghanistan has won the test series in Bangladesh soil. pic.twitter.com/U730gBM6GG

— Johns (@CricCrazyJohns) September 9, 2019

Just brilliant from Afghanistan. Had 18.3 overs to get 4 wickets with 2 batsmen and did it with overs to spare. Magnificent game for @rashidkhan_19 but how good was everyone else. Their great story continues.

— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) September 9, 2019

History for Afghanistan
Captain #RashdiKhan bag 11 wickets in a one off test after a brilliant fiery scores in both innings to win historic test match BY 224 runs for Afghanistan against @BCBtigers
What firewall gift for Afghanistan and for legend #NabiEsaKhail????????????????????#AFGvBAN pic.twitter.com/WtjsfLoWnp

— M.ibrahim Momand (@IbrahimReporter) September 9, 2019

No. of matches to get 2 Test wins:

3 Aus, Afghanistan
4 Eng
9 Pak
12 WI
13 SA
20 SL
30 Ind
31 Zim
55 NZ
60 Ban#AfgvBan

— Bharath Seervi (@SeerviBharath) September 9, 2019

1995 – ACB formed
2001 – ICC Affiliate member
2009 – First ODI
2010 – First T20I
2013 – ICC Associate member
2017 – ICC Full member
2018 – Tie with India in the Asian Cup
2019 – Record their first Test away win

What a cricketing journey for Afghanistan.

????????????#BANvAFG pic.twitter.com/C4bwhpmt83

— bet365 (@bet365) September 9, 2019

Afghanistan is now the only Test side after Australia to win two of their first three Tests.
Australia – W L W (1877 to 1879)
Afghanistan – L W W (2018 to 2019)#BanvAfg

— Mohandas Menon (@mohanstatsman) September 9, 2019

A thumping 224-run victory for Afghanistan. #BANvsAFG pic.twitter.com/3RJiN7tV5r

— CricTracker (@Cricketracker) September 9, 2019

afghanistan won’t win the world test championship (since they aren’t in it) but they just won test cricket! #BANvAFG

— Gaurav Kalra (@gauravkalra75) September 9, 2019

Afghanistan beat Bangladesh by 224 runs.
Rashid Khan had an excellent Test match. In his first Test as a captain he took 11 wickets and also scored a fifty. No one had ever taken 10 wickets in his first Test as a captain#BANvAFG

— Sarang Bhalerao (@bhaleraosarang) September 9, 2019

I like how everybody has forgotten that Afghanistan beat Ireland earlier this year.

Too much cricket yeah.

— Nikhil ???? (@CricCrazyNIKS) September 9, 2019

The hero of Afghanistan. 20 years old. Leading their nation for the first time in tests. 75 runs. 11 wickets. King Rashid Khan. #BANvAFG pic.twitter.com/nlhg9Np8Vl

— Johns (@CricCrazyJohns) September 9, 2019

Captains scoring a fifty and taking 10+ wickets in a Test match:

Imran Khan (117 & 11/117) v Ind, Faisalabad, 1983

Allan Border (75 & 11/91) v WI, SCG, 1989

Rashid Khan (51 & 11/104) v Ban, Chattogram, 2019

Rashid only one to do on captaincy debut!!#BanvAfg

— Bharath Seervi (@SeerviBharath) September 9, 2019

… Congratulations @ACBofficials You should remain grateful to the drainage system of Chattogram rest of your life ???? However, you have played wonderfull cricket over the last five days. You deserve this win.

— Saif Hasnat (@saifhasnat) September 9, 2019

Shakib was disappointed with the wicket, hope he is more disappointed with how Bangladesh need a deck to win at home. Grow your skills, home advantage is fine but if it is like this, can come back to bite you. The rivalry grows between them and Afghanistan.

— Nikhil ???? (@CricCrazyNIKS) September 9, 2019

AFGHANISTAN DEFEAT BOTH BANGLADESH AND RAIN.

RASHID KHAN, YOU BEAUTY! #BANvAFG

— Manya (@CSKian716) September 9, 2019

Afghanistan win an overseas Test in their third Test.

England had done it in their second, Australia had done it in their second…others?#BANvAFG

— Suneer (@suneerchowdhary) September 9, 2019

Remember watching Rashid bowl in his first Test match and people being all skeptical about him bowling with the red ball and saying that he might not be cut out for the longest format.

Here he is now leading his team to a glorious Test win as captain. Brilliant! #BANvAFG

— Manya (@CSKian716) September 9, 2019