Zadran, Afghan fifties keep Afghanistan on top despite early Shakib strikes

Afghanistan have kept control of the one-off Test against Bangladesh in Chattogram as fifties by Ibrahim Zadran and Asghar Afghan help the visitors set a steep target for the Tigers for victory.

The Afghans began their second innings with a 137-run lead but captain Shakib Al Hasan struck twice in the first over of the innings, trapping opener Ihsanullah before claiming the scalp of the first innings centurion Rahmat Shah for nought.

Off-spinner Nayeem Hasan also chipped in with the wicket of Hashmatullah Shahidi (12 off 27) with Soumya Sarker completing a sharp catch at first slip.

But the visitors stretched their lead to 374 with 2 wickets in hand at stumps after Zadran scored 87 and Afghan 50.

Shakib took his third wicket by the end of Day 3 by trapping Qais Ahmad lbw, leaving Afghanistan on 237 for 8.  

Earlier, Rashid Khan claimed his second five-wicket haul in Tests as the Afghans made short work of the Bangladesh tail, bowling out the hosts for 205 at the start of Day 3.

Having offered stubborn resistance at the crease overnight, Taijul Islam was the first to fall as he lost his off-stump while attempting a slog against Mohammad Nabi.

Rashid mopped up the Tigers' innings by trapping Nayeem lbw for seven, denying Mosaddek Hossain (48) the chance of reaching a half century in the process.