Mahmud breaks Afghanistan's opening stand after Bangladesh post 346

Mohammad Saleem led Afghanistan's fightback against Bangladesh in the first innings in Abu Dhabi. Starting the second morning on 317 for 8, Bangladesh added 29 to their total in 8.3 overs before being bowled out for 346.

Saleem, who took 6 for 140 against India in the New Chandigarh Test in June, removed Taijul Islam to finish with four wickets, while Yamin Ahmadzai picked up three wickets. He took the last wicket when Ebadot Hossain edged to slip for a duck. Nayeem Hasan was unbeaten on 35 off 67 balls with four fours, a fine effort for a cricketer who wasn't even in Bangladesh's original squad. Nayeem is a late addition after going to the UAE as a reserve player for the practice match last week.

This was only the second occasion in their short Test history that Afghanistan's pace attack had taken nine wickets in an innings. Ismat Alam backed up the efforts of Saleem and Yamin with two wickets.

On the first day, Tanzid had got Bangladesh off to a strong start with an electric 83 off 71 balls. He struck eight fours and four sixes, often charging the bowlers to loft them over the covers or straight down the ground. He was equally attacking against pace and spin, and dominated a 124-run opening stand with Shadman Islam.

Tanzid, however, fell shortly before the lunch interval, having missed out on a rare opportunity to score a century in the first session of a Test match. He fell to a timely intervention from wicketkeeper Ikram Alikhil whose decision to stand up to Ismat Alam paid off. Tanzid was caught behind in the same over.

Shadman reached his ninth Test half-century, and added 60 for the second wicket with Mominul Haque. Shadman fell for 67 during Saleem's first foray of short-pitched bowling in the game. Mominul was next to go for 39. Yamin removed Mushfiqur Rahim soon after with a yorker, before Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto edged Qais Ahmed to slip for 29.

These three wickets fell in the space of 18 balls, and it was left to Litton Das and Mehidy Hasan Miraz to lead the recovery. They added 62 before Mehidy inside-edged Ismat on to his stumps.

Litton, who made three ducks in a row in Australia, scored a much-needed half-century. He struck four fours in his 89-ball stay, before top-edging Saleem towards fine leg, where Yamin took a splendid catch. Saleem then yorked Hasan Mahmud, having hit him on the chest earlier in the over.