Tigers collapse in Afghan Test warm-up

Bangladesh squandered a promising start and were bowled out for 234 on the opening day of their two-day practice match against Afghanistan in Abu Dhabi on Sunday, leaving batting uncertainty ahead of the one-off Test starting on 9 October.

Afghanistan, who will face Bangladesh in the Test, reached 34 for one from the final eight overs of the day. Pacer Khaled Ahmed claimed the only wicket, finishing with one for 19.

Bangladesh began brightly as openers Shadman Islam and Soumya Sarkar stitched together a commanding 108-run partnership.

But once the opening stand was broken, Bangladesh lost wickets at regular intervals and failed to build the substantial total their start had promised.

Shadman spent 146 minutes at the crease for 46, striking five boundaries, while Soumya scored 57 from 155 minutes, hitting six fours and a six.

Afghanistan’s Junaid was the pick of the bowlers, claiming three wickets for 46 runs to trigger Bangladesh’s middle-order collapse.

Bangladesh now have the second day of the practice match to sharpen their preparations before the Test series against Afghanistan gets underway in Abu Dhabi.