In a one-off Test match held at Dhaka’s Mirpur Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium on Saturday, Bangladesh secured a remarkable 546-run victory over Afghanistan.

This resounding triumph not only stands as Bangladesh’s most substantial margin of victory in terms of runs but also ranks as the third-highest overall in the history of Test cricket.

The record for the highest victory by runs in Test cricket belongs to England, who defeated Australia by a staggering 675 runs in Brisbane back in 1928. Following closely behind is Australia’s 562-run win against England at the Oval in 1934.

It is worth noting that Bangladesh’s 546-run victory holds a special distinction as it is the highest win by runs in a traditional five-day Test match, unlike the previous two instances that occurred in timeless Tests.

Prior to this remarkable achievement, Bangladesh’s largest victory by runs was recorded against Zimbabwe at Chittagong’s MA Aziz Stadium in 2005, where they won by a margin of 226 runs. Surpassing their own record, the 546-run win over Afghanistan is more than double their previous best.

On the fourth day of the match, Afghanistan resumed their second innings at 45/2 but could only add a mere 70 runs before being dismissed for a total of 115. Their last batsman retired hurt.

During the second innings, Taskin Ahmed displayed an exceptional bowling performance for Bangladesh, claiming four wickets, while Shoriful Islam took three wickets.

Taskin was unfortunate in his pursuit of a maiden five-wicket haul. In the 33rd over of the innings, he bowled Zahir Khan, the final batsman, only to be denied by the umpire’s no-ball call. In the previous delivery, Taskin celebrated a caught-behind dismissal, only for Zahir to review the decision, with the TV replay indicating no contact with the bat. The subsequent ball resulted in a no-ball due to its height, leading to Taskin’s disappointment once again.

Two balls later, Zahir was struck on the elbow while attempting to evade a short ball on the leg stump. In pain, he retired hurt, officially ending the match and confirming Bangladesh’s emphatic 546-run victory.

Afghanistan’s second innings came to a quick end, lasting only 33 overs, six fewer than their first innings where they managed a modest score of 146.

Nazmul Hossain Shanto was rightfully named the player of the match for his impressive contributions of 146 and 124 runs in the first and second innings, respectively.

Shanto’s incredible display included a remarkable 38 fours throughout the match, setting a new record for the Bangladeshi team. Previously, the record was held by Tamim Iqbal, who hit 33 boundaries in a Test match against New Zealand in Hamilton back in 2019.

Furthermore, Shanto achieved another milestone by surpassing the record for the highest runs scored in a Test match at the Mirpur venue. The left-handed batsman amassed a total of 270 runs across both innings, overtaking the previous record held by Pakistan’s Azhar Ali, who scored 251 runs against Bangladesh in 2015.

On the third day of the match, Shanto became the second Bangladeshi player in Test history to achieve centuries in both innings, following in the footsteps of Mominul Haque.

Looking ahead, Bangladesh is scheduled to face Afghanistan in three One Day Internationals in Chittagong next month, followed by two Twenty20 Internationals in Sylhet.

Bangladesh continued their dominant performance on day two of their lone Test match against Afghanistan at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Mirpur. The Tigers finished the day in a commanding position, just as they had on day one.

At stumps on Thursday, Bangladesh had scored 134 runs in their second innings, with opener Mahmudul Hasan Joy (17) being the only wicket to fall. Zakir Hasan and Nazmul Hossain Shanto, the other two openers, remained unbeaten on identical scores of 54, reaching their second and fourth Test fifties respectively.

With a lead of 370 runs, the home side held the advantage in the match.

Earlier in the day, Afghanistan was bowled out for a mere 146 runs due to disciplined bowling by the Bangladeshi team, led by right-arm pacer Ebadot Hossain (4/47). Left-arm paceman Shoriful Islam, and spinners Taijul Islam and Mehedi Hasan Miraz, all claimed two wickets each.

Bangladesh had started day two at 362/5 but could only add 20 more runs to their total before losing their remaining five wickets. Mushfiqur Rahim (47) and Miraz (48) fell short of their respective half-centuries.

Debutant right-arm bowler Nijat Masood finished with impressive figures of 5/79.

Bangladesh’s opening batsman, Tamim Iqbal, will not be participating in the upcoming one-off Test match against Afghanistan. The match is set to commence on Wednesday at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Mirpur.

According to the national team physio, Muzadded Alpha Sany, Tamim has been struggling with recurring lower back pain. Despite receiving treatment and undergoing procedures to alleviate the pain and enhance his functionality, his condition has not sufficiently improved to enable him to participate in the Test.

During training sessions, Tamim experienced stiffness and pain while batting and fielding, impeding his ability to complete the necessary physical preparation required for a five-day match.

The Bangladesh squad for the Test match includes Liton Das as the captain, alongside Zakir Hasan, Nazmul Hossain Shanto, Mominul Haque, Mushfiqur Rahim, Mehedi Hasan Miraz, Taijul Islam, Khaled Ahmed, Ebadot Hossain, Taskin Ahmed, Shoriful Islam, Mahmudul Hasan Joy, Shahadat Hossain Dipu, and Mushfik Hasan.