Sediqullah Atal scored a resolute century and Qais Ahmad played a crucial unbeaten innings to save Afghanistan from defeat against Bangladesh in their one-off Test match at the Zayed Cricket Stadium in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday. Chasing a stiff target of 479 runs, Afghanistan's lower order and resilient batsmen demonstrated great patience to reach 346-8 by stumps on the fifth and final day.
Playing only his third Test match, Atal displayed exceptional resistance against a disciplined Bangladeshi bowling attack to complete a well-deserved hundred. His magnificent knock made him the first Afghanistan batsman in history to score a century in the fourth innings of a Test match.
Atal stayed at the crease for an extraordinary 514 minutes, anchoring the innings with a display of immense concentration and technical skill. He struck nine boundaries and three towering sixes before eventually being removed by spinner Taijul Islam during the third session, leaving his team struggling at 281-7.
With defeat looming large and wickets tumbling around him, Qais Ahmad stepped up to shoulder the responsibility and safely navigated the team through to the end of the day. The lower-order batsman hit six fours and three sixes in his aggressive 80-ball 49 not out.
Qais received valuable support from Yamin Ahmadzai, who contributed 19 runs as the pair combined for a precious 45-run partnership for the eighth wicket. Their determined alliance successfully thwarted Bangladesh's victory push and ensured the match ended in a stalemate.
Bangladesh bowlers Ebadot Hossain and Mehidy Hasan Miraz shared the bowling honors by picking up three wickets each in a tireless effort on the final day. Despite their sustained pressure, the bowling unit could not dislodge the final remaining Afghan batting pairs.
Bangladesh had earlier posted 346 runs in their first innings and followed up with 372-7 declared in their second turn at the crease. Afghanistan were previously bowled out for 240 in their initial innings, leaving them facing a massive deficit and a monumental task to save the match.
The final day of the encounter commenced with Afghanistan precariously placed at 132-3, with Atal resuming on 35 alongside Shahidullah Shahidi, who was unbeaten on 19. Early drama unfolded in just the third over of the day when Shahidi was forced to retire hurt after being struck on the pads by a fielder's throw.
Shahidi was visibly in deep pain and required immediate medical attention from the team physiotherapist before walking off the pitch. After receiving treatment and allowing his injury time to settle, Shahidi bravely returned to the crease later in the innings to contribute further runs.
Following the early disruption, Ikram Alikhil joined Atal at the crease as the pair attempted to stabilize the innings through careful accumulation. Bangladesh bowlers maintained tight lines and extracted turn and bounce from the Abu Dhabi surface, testing the batters continuously.
The breakthrough for Bangladesh eventually arrived when Ebadot Hossain found the edge of Ikram's bat, allowing wicketkeeper Litton Das to claim a sharp catch behind the stumps. Ikram departed after scoring a gritty 36 runs from 69 deliveries, featuring five boundaries.
The partnership between Atal and Ikram proved vital for Afghanistan, yielding 66 runs and eating up valuable time on the clock. By the time lunch was called on the fifth day, Afghanistan had progressed to a score of 203-4, keeping their faint survival hopes alive.
Litton Das entered the record books during the dismissal of Ikram Alikhil by claiming his ninth dismissal of the match behind the stumps. By securing nine dismissals while also scoring a half-century and a century in the same fixture, Das set a new world Test record.
The exceptional achievement allowed Das to surpass the previous international record held by South Africa's Denis Lindsay. Lindsay had previously recorded eight dismissals and scored 50-plus runs in both innings during a Johannesburg Test match against Australia in 1966.
Following the interval, Bangladesh spinner Mehidy Hasan Miraz capitalized on favorable conditions to apply renewed pressure on the batting side. Miraz claimed two quick wickets, removing Ismat Aslam for four runs and dismissing the returning Shahidullah Shahidi.
Shahidi's second stint at the crease saw him accumulate 36 runs from 69 balls, striking four boundaries and two sixes before being dismissed by Miraz. His departure left Afghanistan reeling deeply at 264-6 and staring down the barrel of an imminent defeat.
The dismissal of Atal soon after at 281-7 left the responsibility entirely on the shoulders of the bowling all-rounders and tailenders. Qais and Yamin responded magnificently to the crisis, frustrating the opposition fielders and draining the remaining time from the match schedule.
The Zayed Cricket Stadium pitch offered notable assistance to spinners as the match progressed into the later stages of the fifth day. Bangladesh utilized multiple bowling options in search of the final two wickets, but resolute defense prevailed.
The one-off Test serves as an important fixture in the bilateral calendar between the two developing Test nations. Both teams displayed periods of dominance across the five days of competitive red-ball cricket in the neutral venue of Abu Dhabi.
Reflecting on the performance, the Afghanistan team management praised the character shown by their young squad in rescuing a draw from a difficult position. The players will now turn their attention to upcoming international fixtures and continued development in the Test arena.
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