Afghanistan will need another 347 runs on the final day of their one-off Test against Bangladesh after reaching 132-3 at stumps Monday in pursuit of a daunting 479-run target.
Captain Rahmat Shah led Afghanistan’s resistance with 51 from 124 balls, including five fours and a six, before he was caught by Litton Das off Ebadot Hossain.
Rahmat shared an 82-run third-wicket partnership with Sediqullah Atal, helping Afghanistan recover after losing two early wickets. Atal remained unbeaten on 35 from 126 deliveries, while Hashmatullah Shahidi was not out on 19 from 27 balls at the close.
Abdul Malik was the first Afghan batter dismissed, making two from five balls before being caught by Litton off Ebadot. Shahidullah followed for 19 from 19 deliveries, hitting four boundaries before Litton caught him off Hasan Mahmud.
Afghanistan went to tea at 51-2, with Rahmat and Atal both unbeaten on 14. Their partnership continued through the final session before Rahmat fell after completing his half-century.
Afghanistan finished the day at 132-3 after 50 overs, still facing a steep task on the final day.
Earlier, Bangladesh declared their second innings at 372-7 after 105.2 overs, giving Afghanistan a target of 479.
Litton led Bangladesh’s second-innings batting with 102 from 117 balls, hitting 14 fours. Captain Najmul Hossain Shanto scored 82 from 191 deliveries, while Mushfiqur Rahim made 81 from 148 balls.
Mehidy Hasan Miraz was unbeaten on 52 from 97 deliveries when Bangladesh declared. Tanzid Hasan added 31, while Shadman Islam made 13 and Mominul Haque seven. Hasan Mahmud was dismissed for one.
Bangladesh had reached 337-6 by lunch on Day 4, holding a 443-run lead before extending their advantage and declaring later in the day.
Afghanistan’s bowlers shared the wickets. Mohammad Saleem took 2-69, Zia-ur-Rehman Akbar finished with 2-86 and Yamin Ahmadzai claimed 2-96. Qais Ahmad took the other wicket, finishing with 1-70.
Bangladesh had made 346 in their first innings before bowling Afghanistan out for 240, giving them a 106-run first-innings lead.
With Bangladesh’s 372-7 declared in the second innings, Afghanistan were set 479 to win. They will resume the fifth and final day at 132-3, with Atal and Shahidi at the crease and seven wickets remaining.
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