Sediqullah Atal's Marathon 111 Helps Afghanistan Deny Bangladesh Victory In One-Off Test

Afghanistan produced a memorable batting effort to deny Bangladesh victory in the one-off Test in Abu Dhabi, holding on for a draw after a tense final day that went down to the last ball.

Chasing a target of 479, Afghanistan finished on 346/8 in their second innings, with Sediqullah Atal leading the fight with a patient century. The left-handed opener scored 111 off 332 balls, spending more than eight and a half hours at the crease to keep his team in the contest.

With the light fading and Bangladesh searching desperately for the final two wickets, Qais Ahmad struck a six off the last ball of the match to bring the contest to an end. Afghanistan’s players had every reason to celebrate, having survived 142 overs in the fourth innings against a relentless Bangladesh bowling attack.

Sediqullah Atal Leads Afghanistan’s Fightback

Atal’s innings was the defining performance of the match. Known for his attacking approach, the opener showed a different side of his game, putting patience and discipline ahead of his natural instincts.

His 111 came from 332 deliveries, with nine fours and three sixes. He spent eight hours and 34 minutes at the crease, refusing to give Bangladesh an easy breakthrough.

Atal’s effort was particularly important after Afghanistan had fallen behind in the first innings. Bangladesh had posted 346 before bowling out Afghanistan for 240, securing a lead of 106 runs.

The visitors then strengthened their position in the second innings, declaring at 372/7 to set Afghanistan a challenging target of 479. Atal’s resistance ensured that Bangladesh could not turn that advantage into a victory.

His dismissal, caught by Tanzid Hasan off Taijul Islam, finally gave Bangladesh hope of closing out the match. However, Afghanistan’s lower order continued to resist until the final delivery.

Rahmat Shah and Sediqullah Atal Build the Foundation

Afghanistan’s second innings required a major effort after they were set such a demanding target. Atal and captain Rahmat Shah played important roles in keeping the chase alive.

Rahmat scored 51 off 124 balls, providing support during a crucial period of the innings. His contribution followed an impressive 105 in the first innings, when he became the first Afghan cricketer to score a century on his Test captaincy debut.

The captain’s first-innings effort had helped Afghanistan avoid an even greater deficit, while Atal’s century in the fourth innings gave the team a realistic chance of saving the match.

Afghanistan’s batters were forced to balance the need to score runs with the greater priority of protecting their wickets. As the innings progressed, survival became the main objective, and the visitors stayed committed to that plan.

Bangladesh Miss Chance To Seal Victory

Bangladesh had put themselves in a strong position to win the match after taking a 106-run first-innings lead and scoring 372/7 in their second innings.

Litton Das was the standout batter in the second innings, scoring 102 off 117 balls. Najmul Hossain Shanto added 82, while Mushfiqur Rahim made 81. Their contributions allowed Bangladesh to declare and put Afghanistan under pressure with a target of 479.

The bowling attack also made regular inroads during Afghanistan’s second innings. Ebadot Hossain claimed three wickets, while Mehidy Hasan Miraz and the other bowlers continued to search for a breakthrough as the final day wore on.

However, Atal’s resistance and the lower order’s determination frustrated Bangladesh. Taijul Islam eventually removed the centurion, but the breakthrough came too late to guarantee a result.

After bowling for long periods in the heat, Bangladesh’s players were left with little time to find the two remaining wickets. Afghanistan held firm, and the match ended without a winner.

Litton Das, Shanto and Mushfiqur Shine With the Bat

While Afghanistan’s resistance dominated the closing stages, Bangladesh had several outstanding individual performances of their own.

Tanzid Hasan scored 83 off 71 balls in the first innings, while Shadman Islam contributed 67. Litton Das added 53 to help Bangladesh reach 346.

In the second innings, Litton led the scoring with his century, while Shanto and Mushfiqur provided valuable support. Mehidy Hasan Miraz remained unbeaten on 52, ensuring Bangladesh had enough runs to declare and set up a challenging final-day contest.

For Afghanistan, Mohammad Saleem was the leading wicket-taker in Bangladesh’s first innings with four wickets for 82 runs. Hasan Mahmud claimed five wickets for 55 runs in Afghanistan’s first innings, helping Bangladesh establish their advantage.

A Draw Earned Through Patience

Atal’s marathon century gave the innings its backbone, while the lower order carried the fight through the closing overs. Qais Ahmad’s unbeaten 49 was crucial at the end, with his final-ball six providing a fitting finish to a match in which Afghanistan refused to give up.

Bangladesh had controlled much of the contest and came close to securing victory, but Afghanistan’s batting effort ensured that both teams left Abu Dhabi without a winner.