Afghan all-rounder Qais Ahmed made a brilliant all-round show as the last day of the first four-day match between Bangladesh A and Afghanistan A waits for a pulsating finish today. The hosts Bangladesh side ended the third day on a 166-run lead losing nine second innings wicket on Sunday. Bangladesh, who ended the day on Sunday at 170-9, will resume with their last pair at Sheikh Abu Naser Stadium, Khulna.
The game on day three resumed with Afghanistan batting on 135 replying hosts’ 257 with two overnight unbeaten batsmen Shahidullah and Afsar Zazai on 22 and nine respectively. Shahidullah got out for 24 early in the innings but Zazai made 46 and made two crucial partnerships with Sharfuddin Ashraf and Qais to retrieve his side from a precarious 142-6.
He added 45 with Ashraf, who made 31 and added another 41 with Qais before being dismissed as the eighth batsman.
Qais, who scored not out 46, got some vital runs with the last two batsmen, and made sure the visitors get a lead of four runs.
After giving his side a slight advantage with willow the 18-year old leg-spinner wreaked havoc with cherry as he ended the day with a scintillating return of 6-62.
The hosts’ top order failed miserably as Mohammad Naim, Zakir Hasan and Raqibul Hasan all got dismissed in single digt. Afif Hossain, who batted in number six, made 41 while captain Imrul Kayes after scoring a first innings duck, scored 34 opening the batting in the second innings.