Photo: Collected
A brilliant catch by Liton Das off Ebadot Hossain broke the 66-run partnership between Ikram Alikhil and Sediqullah Atal. Although Afghanistan kept fighting on the fifth day of the Abu Dhabi Test, Bangladesh got another wicket through the combined effort of these two. This is Ebadot’s third wicket of the second innings.
Chasing a victory target of 479 runs, Afghanistan had put up resistance on the fifth day. Sediqullah Atal at one end and Ikram Alikhil at the other were batting, clinging on to their wickets. When Liton’s excellent catch off Ebadot ended Ikram’s innings, Bangladesh got the relief of breaking an important partnership.
At the start of the day, the Afghans needed 347 runs, but the visitors were more focused on preserving wickets and drawing the match than on winning. Having reached his fifty, Atal held one end, while Ikram was keeping him company at the other.
In the third over of the day, while taking a single off Mehedi Hasan Miraz, a fielder’s throw hit Hashmatullah Shahidi on his leg pad. Injured and limping, Shahidi left the field with the help of the physio; he ‘retired hurt’ unbeaten on 20. Ikram Alikhil then came to the crease.
Bangladesh scored 346 runs in the first innings. In reply, Afghanistan were bowled out for 240, giving Bangladesh a 106-run lead. In the second innings, riding on Liton Das’s century and Mehedi Hasan Miraz’s fifty, the hosts declared on 372 for 7, setting Afghanistan a target of 479 runs to win.
Late in the afternoon of the fourth day, Ebadot had dismissed Rahmat Shah. He broke an 82-run partnership by having Rahmat, who scored 51, caught by Liton. On the fifth day too, Bangladesh got a valuable wicket thanks to the same bowler-wicketkeeper pairing.
Bangladesh’s goal on the final day is to take the remaining wickets quickly and secure victory, while Afghanistan are trying to hold on to their wickets and save the match.
