Atal's resistance frustrates Bangladesh despite Ebadot three-for

Lunch Afghanistan 240 and 203 for 4 (Atal 66*, Ismat 0*, Ebadot 3-40) need another 276 runs to beat Bangladesh 346 and 372 for 7 (Litton 102, Shanto 82, Mushfiqur 81, Zia 2-86)

Sediqullah Atal resisted Bangladesh in Abu Dhabi though the visitors went to lunch with something to show for. Shortly before the break, Ebadot Hossain removed the stodgy Ikram Alikhil, breaking the fourth-wicket partnership. Much of the credit goes to Litton Das for the superb catch down the leg-side.

Litton is now the first wicketkeeper to complete nine dismissals, score a century and a fifty in the match.

Atal remained unbeaten on 66 off 216 balls, a highly uncharacteristic knock from the usually rampant left-handed opener. He added 66 runs for the fourth wicket with Alikhil who made 33. They came together in unusual circumstances too.

Afghanistan were dealt with an early blow, quite literally, when a Hasan Mahmud throw struck Hashmatullah Shahidi in the third over of the morning session. Shahidi, who was completing a single, went down immediately, and then had to be helped off of the field.

Alikhil opened up with a nice cover drive off Mehidy Hasan Miraz, before Atal went inside out against the same bowler in the next over. Bangladesh were slowly feeling desperate, particularly when Ebadot struck Alikhil in the pads. Even though the bowler signaled it was going away, Bangladesh took the review, and were declined swiftly.

Atal soon reached his fifty off 166 balls, as he continued to concentrate hard to keep Bangladesh at bay. He struck Taijul for his first six shortly afterwards, going straight over the bowler's head. Alikhil struck three fours thereafter, all off spin, before Atal struck Taijul for his second six, again over the bowler's head.

Later in the same over, Atal survived a near hit-wicket after he lost control of the bat that spun around him and landed just behind the stumps. In the next over, Ebadot struck Atal on the elbow, before landing the crucial blow against Alikhil before lunch.

Afghanistan had shown similar application on the fourth day. After Bangladesh declared on 372 for 7, Afghanistan had to cope with batting for at least 50 overs on the fourth day. Abdul Malik however fell in the second over, edging Ebadot for the second time in the match. Shahidullah struck four boundaries, before another attempted big shot cost him his wicket. Mahmud had him caught behind for 19.

Shortly after the tea break, Tanzid Hasan dropped Rahmat on 16. It was a simple chance at first slip, which ended up going to the boundary. Twenty minutes later, Rahmat and Sediqullah got involved in a mid-pitch mix-up but Ebadot couldn't throw the ball properly from mid-off, as Rahmat returned to the striker's end safely.

After these two close calls, Rahmat and Atal showed more patience and focus. They went through long phases without boundaries, but kept their defensive game strong. Rahmat became only the sixth cricketer to score a century and fifty on captaincy debut.

Atal kept his bat straight for most of the afternoon to evening session, as he supported Rahmat, who however fell shortly before stumps on the third day. Rahmat edged Ebadot, much to Bangladesh's delight. The catch also gave Litton his eighth dismissal for the match - which is the Bangladesh wicketkeeping record.