Bangladesh’s biggest Test victory was against Afghanistan thanks to Taskin Ahmed’s four grabs
Bangladesh defeated Afghanistan by 546 runs in the single Test in Dhaka, recording their largest victory margin in Test matches and the third-highest in the history of the game.
On the fourth day, during a long morning session, the visitors’ final batsman Zahir Khan was struck in the elbow and forced to retire hurt, leaving the hosts needing just nine wickets in the second innings to secure the victory.
Just before that, as Bangladesh was getting close to winning, there was some chaos. Zahir was ruled to have been caught behind off the ball of the 33rd over, and Taskin Ahmed ran off to celebrate what he believed to be his maiden five-for in a Test match. However, the judgment was reversed by the batsman after video replays revealed the ball had missed the bat by an inch.
Immediately after, Taskin Ahmed bowled Zahir with the next delivery, but the ball was later ruled to have been an above-waist full toss and was therefore a no-ball. After three more solid balls, Taskin struck one of them into Zahir’s elbow, preventing him from being able to bat. Zahir left after a short period of conversation and medical attention. That validated Bangladesh’s enormous victory.
The match had a combined total of 14 wickets taken by Bangladesh’s fast bowlers, which is a Test record. The hosts needed to take eight wickets on the fourth day in order to win, which they carefully did in 22 overs even though they ultimately needed to take one fewer wicket.
Nasir Jamal struggled against a brilliant delivery from Ebadot Hossain in the third over of the day; the ball was pitched outside off and straightened just enough to touch the batter’s outside edge.
In the following over, Rahmat Shah was declared out after being caught in the slips by Shoriful Islam off a snorter, but the TV umpire later ruled that the ball had really come off his armguard. Afsar Zazai edged him to Mehidy Hasan Miraz at gully three overs later, in the 19th over of the innings, so Shoriful didn’t have to wait long for his maiden morning wicket.
Due to the wicket, debutant Bahir Shah entered the field to replace skipper Hashmatullah Shahidi, who was replaced due to a concussion. However, Taijul Islam took a nice, low catch from Shoriful as he had him caught at third slip to conclude the 21st over.
When Taskin caught Rahmat Shah behind for 30 in four overs, Afghanistan was reduced to 78 for 5, which quickly increased to 91 for 6, after which time. Karim Janat was bowled for 18 by Taskin, who then claimed his third wicket.
Therefore, Bangladesh’s fast bowlers took all seven of the wickets that fell before one was ultimately taken by a spinner. Amir Hamza was brought into the attack to begin the 32nd over, and Mehidy struck on the third ball when he caught him at short leg after the ball had fallen there after bouncing off his glove and helmet during an attempted pull shot. To get his fourth, Taskin had Yamin Ahmadzai caught at mid-off on the next over.
Shoriful, the second Bangladeshi bowler after Mashrafe Mortaza to start an innings with a wicket, had Ibrahim Zadran caught lbw on the first ball of the third evening, however, and Afghanistan’s problems had already began there. Abdul Malik took the next pitch, chasing a Taskin away swinger, but was caught behind for 5.
Taskin delivered a bouncer that struck Shahidi in the head in the sixth over. Shahidi appeared to have taken his eyes off the ball and ducked at it before falling flat on the field and limping off. Prior to Bahir taking Shahidi’s place, Afghanistan was effectively three down.
However, the groundwork for Bangladesh’s victory had already been set long before Afghanistan faced these difficulties thanks to two centuries from Najmul Hossain Shanto and one in the second innings from Mominul Haque. After gaining a 236-run lead in the first inning, they called the game over and gave Afghanistan an amazing 662 scores. That ultimately proved to be more than sufficient for a resounding victory.