Najmul Hossain hit his third century as Bangladesh dominated Afghanistan’s bowlers to reach 362/5 on the opening day of their one-off Test on Wednesday.
Najmul scored 146 off 175 balls, hitting 23 fours and two sixes, and added 212 runs with opener Mahmudul Hasan for the second wicket to disrupt Afghanistan’s plan on a hot and humid day.
Mahmudul (76) though missed out his ton, with his knock comprising nine fours.
At stumps, Mehidy Hasan was batting on 43 with Mushfiqur Rahim on 41, having shared 72 for the so-far unbroken sixth wicket.
Afghanistan captain Hashmatullah Shahidi chose to bowl first after winning the toss. Pacer Nijatullah Masood had the other opener Zakir Hasan caught by wicketkeeper Afsar Zazai for 1, which made him the first Afghan bowler to claim a wicket with his very first delivery on Test debut — and 22nd overall.
The delivery from Masood in the second over shaped across Zakir, but the umpire remained unmoved. The replays then revealed that the ball took the slightest nick off the bat before going through to the keeper.
Najmul counter-attacked, epitomising Bangladesh’s ambition to play aggressive cricket, and it paid off.
“I don’t think we had batted in such hot and humid conditions earlier. But again, it’s something that was not in our control. As for what was in our control, we tried to do that perfectly and I believe we are in a good position,” he said.
Brief scores: Bangladesh 362/5 (N. Hosain 146, M. Hasan 76) vs Afghanistan. Stumps, Day I