Afghanistan snatched victory from Bangladesh with Atal's century; Abu Dhabi Test ends in a draw.

Bangladesh needed seven wickets on the final day to secure a victory. Conversely, Afghanistan faced a daunting task while chasing a target of 479 runs. Ultimately, Afghanistan managed to draw the match by putting up incredible resistance with the bat. A magnificent century by Sediqullah Atal denied Bangladesh the chance to win the Abu Dhabi Test.

By the end of the fifth day, Afghanistan had reached 346 for 8 in their second innings, resulting in a draw. Opener Sediqullah Atal scored 111 runs off 332 balls for Afghanistan—marking the first century of his Test career. Additionally, Rahmat Shah scored 51 runs, while Qais Ahmad remained unbeaten on 49 towards the end.

The Resistance of Atal and Rahmat

At the close of play on day four, Afghanistan stood at 132 for 3. On the final day, Bangladesh required seven wickets for victory, while Afghanistan needed another 347 runs. Recognizing the reality of the situation, Afghanistan played with the aim of saving the match rather than chasing the win.

Atal and Rahmat Shah batted patiently, keeping the Bangladeshi bowlers at bay for an extended period. Bangladesh had to wait until late in the afternoon to break their partnership; Rahmat was dismissed for 51, caught by Litton Das off the bowling of Ebadot Hossain. His 82-run partnership with Atal had posed a significant obstacle for Bangladesh.

Atal, however, did not stop there. Holding firm at one end, he went on to score a century. The opener was eventually dismissed by Taijul Islam for 111 runs off 332 balls. Afghanistan's fight did not end with his departure; the team ultimately managed to secure a draw thanks to the resilience shown by Qais Ahmad and Yamin.

Bangladesh Misses Opportunities Late On

A chance for victory had opened up for Bangladesh in the final hour of the match. However, the Bangladeshi players committed fielding errors at crucial moments. They missed run-out opportunities on two consecutive deliveries, and later, Hasan Mahmud failed to take a straightforward catch. Ultimately, the Afghan batsmen held their ground to secure a draw. In the second innings, Ebadot Hossain and Mehidy Hasan Miraz claimed three wickets each for Bangladesh, while Hasan Mahmud and Taijul Islam took one wicket apiece.

Liton's World Record

Despite the match ending in a draw, Bangladesh's wicketkeeper-batsman Liton Das shone with his individual achievements. After scoring a half-century in the first innings, he went on to score a century in the second. Additionally, he set a world record by effecting nine dismissals as a wicketkeeper across the two innings. Liton became the first wicketkeeper to achieve the feat of scoring two 50-plus scores and effecting nine dismissals in a single Test match. He was also awarded the 'Player of the Match' for his performance.

Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto expressed disappointment after the match, noting that the team failed to capitalize on opportunities. While the pacers bowled well, the spinners could not make the expected impact. At the same time, he praised Afghanistan for their spirited fight.

Brief Scores

Bangladesh: 346 in the first innings; 372/7 (declared) in the second innings.

Afghanistan: 240 in the first innings; 346/8 in 142 overs in the second innings.

Result: Match drawn.

Afghanistan's top batsmen: Sediqullah Atal 111, Rahmat Shah 51.

Bangladesh's top bowlers: Ebadot Hossain 3/50, Mehidy Hasan Miraz 3/73.

A combination of Afghanistan's patient batting and errors by Bangladesh in the closing stages meant that Bangladesh had to settle for a draw despite coming close to victory.