Published: 12:55 AM, 15 October 2026
We gave our best but we didn't take the opportunities: Shanto
Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto believes his side squandered some chances that changed the complexion of the game during the fifth and final day of the one-off Test match against Afghanistan as the hosts secured a remarkable draw in Abu Dhabi after they batted through 142 overs in the fourth innings.
They finished on 346 for eight after spending the final day fighting to avoid defeat.
"I think we gave our best but we didn't take the opportunities," Shanto said. "In this kind of condition, these things probably made the difference. We should have taken ten wickets today. I think we ended up drawing the game due to the small mistakes. It is certainly a disappointing result but we played good cricket on all five days. Our bowlers worked very hard especially in these conditions today. I think we have to give our bowlers the credit. We couldn't use the opportunities."
Sediqullah Atal led the resistance with his maiden Test century, scoring 111 off 332 balls, while Qais Ahmad struck two sixes in the final over to cap a tense finish.
Afghanistan had been set a target of 479 and needed to survive the day after resuming at 132 for three.
Bangladesh had put themselves in a strong position by taking a 106-run first-innings lead. They scored 346 before dismissing Afghanistan for 240, then declared their second innings at 372 for seven.
Atal, who had scored 35 not out at the end of the fourth day, continued to frustrate Bangladesh's bowlers. His innings included nine fours and three sixes.
Rahmat Shah made 51 off 124 balls before Ebadot Hossain had him caught behind by Litton Das. Hashmatullah Shahidi added 36, while Ikram Alikhil scored 33.
"We have an experienced bowling attack who all know what's expected of them. We were all disciplined. They bowled in the right areas for a long period. I think maybe the bowlers can figure out exactly how else to bowl in these conditions."
Bangladesh kept taking wickets but could not finish the job. Ebadot claimed three for 50 and Mehidy Hasan Miraz took three for 73.
Taijul Islam finally removed Atal in the 119th over, leaving Afghanistan at 281 for seven and giving Bangladesh a chance to dismiss the tail.
But Afghanistan's lower order held on. Bangladesh missed two run-out opportunities and Hasan Mahmud dropped a catch, allowing the visitors to extend their resistance.
Yamin Ahmadzai faced 85 balls for his 19 before falling to Miraz. Zia-ur-Rehman then helped see out the remaining overs, while Qais, struggling with hamstring cramps, remained unbeaten on 49 off 80 balls.
With the draw assured in the final over, Qais launched Taijul for two sixes, the second clearing deep midwicket off the last ball.
Afghanistan's 142 overs of batting made this one of the longest fourth-innings rearguards in Test cricket by a team saving a draw.
Shanto also praised Litton Das' player-of-the-match performance. Litton became the first wicketkeeper to score a century and a half-century, and effect nine dismissals in a Test match: "It was outstanding the way he kept wickets and played those two innings, especially in this weather. It is a great sign for our team that someone bounced back after two or three low scores."
