"Yes, we are bit excited because we are in a good position," Afghanistan's wicketkeeper-batsman Afsar Zazai said. "It means a lot to be honest," he added. "The people know about us good enough in white-ball cricket. We've discussed in our dressing room that this Test match is very important for us to win because we want to show we can play Test cricket."
Skipper Shakib Al Hasan remained unbeaten on 39 runs, giving a little hope to Bangladesh amid the gloom at the Zahur Ahmed Stadium, where rain interrupted play in all three sessions much to Afghanistan's frustration. Shakib will resume the fifth day's play along with Soumya Sarkar, the last recognised batsman for Bangladesh, who was yet to open his account. Shakib seemed to be preparing for a loss.
"The realistic result is we are very close to defeat. Unless there is some rain... probably we are losing," he said. Rashid, who made his debut as youngest-ever Test captain, led Afghanistan from the front, finishing the day with 3-46 while left-arm chinaman Zahir claimed 2-36 runs. Retiring all-rounder Mohammad Nabi claimed the other wicket. Zahir started the victory push when he dismissed opener Liton Das, who was trapped leg before for nine two balls after a caught-behind decision against him was overturned by the TV umpire on review.
SCOREBOARD
Afghanistan first innings 342 (Rahmat Shah 102, Asghar Afghan 92, Rashid Khan 51; Taijul Islam 4-116)
Bangladesh first innings 205 (Mominul Haque 52; Rashid Khan 5-55; Mohammad Nabi 3-56)
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Afghanistan second innings (overnight 237-8)
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I. Janat lbw b Shakib 4
I. Zadran c Mominul b Nayeem 87
R. Shah c & b Shakib 0
H. Shahidi c Soumya b Nayeem 12
A. Afghan c Shakib b Taijul 50
A. Zazai not out 48
M. Nabi c Mominul b Mehidy 8
R. Khan b Taijul 24
Q. Ahmad lbw b Shakib 14
Y. Ahmadzai run out 9
Z. Khan c Mominul b Mehidy 0
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Extras: (b4) 4
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Total: (all out; 90.1 overs) 260
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Fall of wickets: 1-4 (Ihsanullah), 2-4 (Rahmat), 3-28 (Hashmatullah), 4-136 (Asghar), 5-171 (Ibrahim), 6-180 (Nabi), 7-210 (Rashid), 8-235 (Qais), 9-260 (Yamin), 10-260 (Zahir)
Bowling: Shakib 19-3-58-3, Mehidy 12.1-3-35-2, Taijul 28-6-86-2, Nayeem 17-2-61-2, Mominul 10-6-13-0, Mosaddek 4-1-3-0
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Bangladesh second innings
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L. Das lbw b Zahir 9
S. Islam lbw b Nabi 41
M. Hossain c Asghar b Zahir 12
M. Rahim lbw b Rashid 23
M. Haque lbw b Rashid 3
S. Al Hasan not out 39
M. Riyad c Zadran b Rashid 7
S. Sarkar 0
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Extras: (lb2) 0
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Total: (6 wkts; 44.2 overs) 136
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To bat: Mehidy Hasan, Taijul Islam, Nayeem Hasan
Fall of wickets: 1-30 (Liton), 2-52 (Mosaddek), 3-78 (Mushfiqur), 4-82 (Mominul), 5-106 (Shadman), 6-125 (Mahmudullah)
Bowling (till date): Yamin 4-1-14-0, Nabi 17.2-4-38-1, Rashid 13-0-46-3, Zahir 10-0-36-2
Toss: Afghanistan
Umpires: Nigel Llong (ENG), Paul Wilson (AUS)
TV Umpire: Nitin Menon (IND)
Match Referee: Chris Broad (ENG).