Abu Dhabi, October 10,2026: Afghanistan captain Rahmat Shah led a determined batting response with an unbeaten half-century as his side reached 211 for four in reply to Bangladesh’s first-innings total of 346 on the second day of their one-off Test at Zayed Cricket Stadium on Saturday.
Afghanistan finished the day on 211/4 after 79 overs, reducing the deficit to 135 runs, with Rahmat unbeaten on 86 and wicketkeeper Ikram Alikhil on 26 not out.
Rahmat faced 186 deliveries and held the innings together in hot and dry conditions, helping Afghanistan recover from early setbacks against Bangladesh’s pace attack.
Bangladesh resumed the day at 317/8 but added only 29 runs in the morning session before being dismissed for 346.
Fast bowlers Hasan Mahmud and Ebadot Hossain gave Bangladesh an early advantage by removing openers Sediqullah Atal, who scored 17, and Shahidullah Kamal, who made 20.
Rahmat then joined Abdul Malik to stabilize the innings, putting together a valuable 70-run partnership for the third wicket. Malik contributed a patient 62, including a six and four boundaries, to register his maiden Test half-century before falling to Hossain.
Afghanistan were 134/3 after Malik’s dismissal when spinner Mehidy Hasan Miraz had former captain Hashmatullah Shahidi stumped by wicketkeeper Litton Das for a duck, leaving the visitors at 139/4.
However, Rahmat and Alikhil resisted Bangladesh’s bowlers during the final session, adding an unbroken 72 runs for the fifth wicket to strengthen Afghanistan’s position.
Hossain was Bangladesh’s leading bowler, taking two wickets for 50 runs, while Mahmud and Miraz claimed one wicket each.
Earlier, Bangladesh’s final two wickets lasted only 8.2 overs on the second morning before their innings ended at 346.
Mohammad Saleem led Afghanistan’s bowling effort with four wickets for 82 runs. Yamin Ahmadzai claimed three for 79, while Ismat Alam took two for 20.
