There were no fans allowed in the Mehdi Huseynzade Stadium, and for large spells of the game that would have been sweet succour for watching Hearts fans.
They had have travelled 3,300 miles to witness another slow start from their side.
Dinamo sat back, allowing their opponents a chance to show off their creative flair. They showed very little.
Having absorbed some mild pressure, the Belarus side threw their first punch. Rai Lopes got down the line, scampering away from Alan Forrest, and cut back to Alfred, whose first-time finish was out of Craig Gordon's reach.
At first, it looked certain Dinamo would get a second but Hearts got lucky in their search for a leveller. James Penrice whipped in a fine corner, Rowles flicked on, and Politevich stretched awkwardly to place a 37th-minute header past his own keeper.
Dinamo started the second half brightly. Alfred saw a header fly inches past a post, although the offside flag would have denied him.
Shankland tried to muster a reply. A ball from the left was collected by the Hearts captain and he fired at goal, only to be denied by Fyodor Lapoukhov.
With full-time beckoning, both sides tried to go for it. Shankland had a chance with his head, and followed up with a weak volley. Raymond Adeola fired wide for Dinamo and no winner seemed forthcoming.
Step up substitute Dhanda. Jorge Grant broke free on the right and crossed to the back post where Shankland rose to head towards Dhanda, who glanced the ball in.