Tanzid's 83 and three fifties lift Tigers before Afghans fight back

Bangladesh reached 317 for eight at stumps on the opening day of the Test against Afghanistan in Abu Dhabi, anchored by half-centuries from Tanzid Hasan, Shadman Islam, and Litton Das.

Tanzid led the charge with a blistering 83 off 71 deliveries, hammering eight boundaries and four sixes during a commanding 124-run opening partnership with Shadman. He dismantled the fast bowling attack with crisp off-side strokes and hoisted the spinners down the ground for maximums.

Ismat Alam eventually broke the stand by inducing an edge behind the wicket, denying Tanzid the record for the highest score by a Bangladesh batter in the first session of a Test. Tamim Iqbal holds that milestone with 86 against New Zealand in Hamilton in 2019.

Shadman reached his ninth Test fifty before perishing for 67 off 111 balls, caught at square leg off a short delivery from Mohammad Saleem. The opening pair and Mominul Haque had built momentum, though Yamin Ahmadzai soon dismissed Mominul for 39 and bowled Mushfiqur Rahim for a duck with a sharp yorker.

Captain Najmul Hossain Shanto contributed 29 before edging Qais Ahmed. The innings wobbled significantly in the second session as three wickets fell for just four runs after the score had advanced to 221 for two, with Ismat removing both Tanzid and Mehidy Hasan Miraz.

Litton Das and Mehidy steadied the ship with a crucial 62-run partnership for the sixth wicket. Mehidy contributed 24 from 67 balls, while Litton struck four boundaries in his 53 off 89 deliveries.

Litton's half-century marked a welcome return to form following ducks in his previous three Test innings in Australia. Ahmadzai dismissed Litton with a diving catch near the fine-leg boundary, and Saleem quickly yorked Hasan Mahmud in the same over.

Afghanistan's pace attack shared seven wickets through Saleem, Yamin, and Ismat, ensuring the visitors clawed their way back into the contest before the close of play.