Abu Dhabi, October 13,2026: Left-handed opener Sediqullah Atal struck his maiden Test century to help Afghanistan secure a hard-fought draw against Bangladesh in the one-off Test at the Zayed Cricket Stadium on Tuesday.
Afghanistan resumed the final day at 132 for three while chasing a daunting target of 479, with Atal and Hashmatullah Shahidi at the crease. However, Shahidi suffered an early setback, retiring not out after adding just one run to his overnight score.
Wicketkeeper-batter Ikram Alikhil joined Atal, and the pair steadied the innings with a crucial 66-run partnership for the fourth wicket. Atal brought up his half-century during the stand before Bangladesh pacer Ebadot Hossain dismissed Alikhil shortly before the end of the opening session. Alikhil scored 33 off 69 deliveries.
Atal continued to resist, sharing a 40-run partnership for the fifth wicket with Ismat Alam, who made just four before falling to Mehidy Hasan Miraz in the 98th over.
Shahidi returned to resume his innings after Alam’s dismissal but added only three more runs before Miraz removed him, leaving Afghanistan struggling at 264 for six.
Atal then added 17 runs with Yamin Ahmadzai for the seventh wicket before Taijul Islam ended his determined innings in the 119th over.
The left-handed opener departed as Afghanistan’s leading scorer in the second innings, having made 111 off 332 deliveries, including nine fours and three sixes. His dismissal brought Bangladesh close to victory, but Afghanistan’s lower order refused to surrender.
No. 9 batter Qais Ahmad produced a resolute unbeaten 49 to deny Bangladesh a win. He shared a vital 45-run partnership for the eighth wicket with Ahmadzai, who contributed 19 off 85 balls, helping Afghanistan hold on for the draw.
Hossain and Miraz claimed three wickets each for Bangladesh, while Hasan Mahmud and Islam took one wicket apiece.
Bangladesh wicketkeeper Litton Das was named Player of the Match for his brisk century in the second innings, a half-century in the first innings and eight catches behind the stumps.
