Centurion Rahmat credits previous experience

Afghanistan top-order batsman Rahmat Shah credited experience from the Intercontinental Cup behind the development of his mentality for the longer-version. 

Heading into the one-off Test match against host Bangladesh, there were doubts as to whether the Afghans could hold onto their nerve for the longer format, with the side playing only their third five-dayer.

On the first day of the Chittagong Test at Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium Thursday, the visiting side had not only showed their mettle to revive the innings from two quick dismissals, but also ended above the opponent. 

Rahmat emerged as the first Test centurion for Afghanistan, scoring 102 runs off 187 balls, and the side finished with 271 on the board losing five wickets in 96 overs against a spin-heavy Bangladesh attack.

Right-handed batter Rahmat went to the crease with Afghanistan reeling on 19 for the loss of opener Ihsanullah’s dismissal and added 120 with former captain Asghar Afghan for the fourth wicket.

“We played a lot of limited cricket in international arena but we also played Intercontinental Cup, which is a four-day cricket tournament. We won that tournament twice and we got to learn a lot about longer-version cricket from that tournament. There is not much difference in four-day and five-day cricket,” said Rahmat to the media at stumps on day one.

@ACBofficials captain @rashidkhan_19 said he and his team believe the contest between the two outfits will be a great one as the sides prepare to lock horns with each other in their first ever Test match, starting today at Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium. https://t.co/sRDl9BZdl4

— Dhaka Tribune Sports (@Sport_DT) September 4, 2019

Rahmat had come to the match with the grieve of missing out on a century in the previous game, against Ireland, having scored 98. 

The 26-year old however, not only overcame the sorrow but walked back to the dressing room with the glory of achieving the milestone against a better-ranked team, and a tried and tested bowling attack.

So confident were Bangladesh with their spin attack that the home side fielded an XI without any specialist pacer. 

However, with the Afghanistan batsmen reacting well and the wicket that was supposed “to offer turn” not doing much, Afghanistan finished the day in the driving seat.

“My plan was to play on the front foot. They were bowling in good line and length and had a good field set-up for me. It was not being easy for me to score runs, that is why I was using the crease and coming on the front foot as well,” said Rahmat.

“They are not at all ordinary spinners. They have a very good spin attack especially with Shakib al Hasan. He is the No 1 spinner in the world and also Taijul Islam got good record in Test cricket, as well as Mehedi Hasan [Miraz]. We had mind-set for the fast bowlers but they have got spinners in the attack,” added Rahmat.

ONLY TEST, DAY 1

AFGHANISTAN 1ST INNINGS        R    B

Ibrahim c Mahmudullah b Taijul     21    69

Ihsanullah b Taijul             9    36

Rahmat c Soumya b Nayeem         102    187

Shahidi c Soumya b Mahmudullah    14    32

Asghar not out            88    160

Nabi b Nayeem             0    3

Afsar not out                35    90

Extras (lb 1, nb 1)            2 

Total (96 Overs)            271/5 

Fall Of Wickets

1-19 (Ihsanullah), 2-48 (Ibrahim), 3-77 (Shahidi), 4-197 (Rahmat), 5-197 (Nabi)

Bowling

Taijul 31-4-73-2, Shakib 17-1-50-0, Miraz 22-4-59-0, Nayeem 13-0-43-2, Mahmudullah 4-0-9-1, Soumya 4-0-26-0, Mominul 4-0-9-0, Mosaddek 1-0-1-0