Wicketkeeper-batter Litton Das scored his seventh Test century and set a Bangladesh record with eight dismissals as Bangladesh declared at 372/7 to set Afghanistan a 479-run target in the one-off Test in Abu Dhabi. Pace bowler Hasan Mahmud's hat-trick earlier helped dismiss Afghanistan for 240, leaving the tourists chasing a total no team has ever reached to win a Test.
Bangladesh dominated the one-off Test against Afghanistan at the Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium in Abu Dhabi, declaring their second innings at 372 for seven on the fourth day, October 12, after a century from wicketkeeper-batter Litton Das. The declaration set Afghanistan a target of 479 to win.
Litton Das's Century and a Keeping Record
Das made 102 off 117 balls, with 14 fours, for his seventh Test century, having also made a half-century in the first innings. He added 149 runs for the seventh wicket with Mehidy Hasan Miraz, who was unbeaten on 52 when Bangladesh declared.
Behind the stumps, Das completed eight dismissals in the match — five in Afghanistan's first innings and three in the second — breaking the Bangladesh record of seven set by Khaled Mashud against Zimbabwe in Harare in 2004.
Hasan Mahmud's Hat-trick
Afghanistan were bowled out for 240 in their first innings on day three, October 11, after pace bowler Hasan Mahmud took five wickets for 55 runs, including a hat-trick. Bowling the 83rd over, Mahmud had Ismat Alam bowled, had Qais Ahmad caught behind by Das, and then trapped Zia-ur-Rehman lbw on review after the umpire's on-field not-out call was overturned.
The 26-year-old became the first Bangladeshi pace bowler to take a Test hat-trick, and only the third Bangladeshi bowler overall, after spinners Alok Kapali, against Pakistan in 2003, and Sohag Gazi, against New Zealand in 2013.
A 479-Run Target
Scores in the Abu Dhabi Test
Innings
Team
Score
Overs
1st innings
Bangladesh
346 all out
92.3
1st innings
Afghanistan
240 all out
89.1
2nd innings
Bangladesh
372/7 declared
105.2
2nd innings
Afghanistan
191/3 (in progress)
73.5
Bangladesh's first-innings total of 346 had already given them a 106-run lead. Their second-innings declaration left Afghanistan needing 479 to win, a total higher than any side has scored to win a Test; according to a report by The Business Standard, no team has previously won a Test after being set a target above 418.
The wicket is not very spin-friendly, but going into day five, the ball often starts to turn from the rough patches.
— Litton Das, Bangladesh wicketkeeper-batter
Afghanistan's Resistance on the Final Day
Afghanistan lost openers Abdul Malik, for 2, and Shahidullah Kamal, for 19, cheaply in the chase. Captain Rahmat Shah, who had scored 105 not out in the first innings, added 51 before falling to Ebadot Hossain. Sediqullah Atal and Hashmatullah Shahidi then saw out the rest of day four, taking Afghanistan to 132 for three at stumps, still 347 runs short.
On the final day, Shahidi retired hurt on 20 after being struck on the knee by a fielder's throw, and wicketkeeper-batter Ikram Alikhil joined Atal. By the latest available score, Afghanistan had reached 191 for three in 73.5 overs, with Atal unbeaten on 64 and Alikhil unbeaten on 28, still needing 288 runs with seven wickets in hand. The match was continuing when this report was filed, with the outcome not yet decided.
Background
The Test opened a multi-format tour of the United Arab Emirates for both teams, following an itinerary the Afghanistan Cricket Board announced in September. It is due to be followed by an ODI tri-series also involving Zimbabwe later in October.
Questions
Did Bangladesh win the Test against Afghanistan?
At the point this report was filed on the final day, the result had not yet been decided. Afghanistan were 191 for three, chasing 479, still 288 runs short with seven wickets in hand.
What record did Litton Das set in this match?
Das took eight wicketkeeping dismissals in the Test — five in Afghanistan's first innings and three in the second — breaking Khaled Mashud's Bangladesh record of seven, set against Zimbabwe in Harare in 2004.
What makes Hasan Mahmud's hat-trick significant?
It made him the first Bangladeshi pace bowler to take a Test hat-trick, and only the third Bangladeshi bowler ever to do so, after spinners Alok Kapali (2003) and Sohag Gazi (2013).
How large was the target Bangladesh set Afghanistan?
Bangladesh set a target of 479 runs after declaring their second innings at 372 for seven. No team in Test history has won after being set a target larger than 418, according to The Business Standard.
Why was the Test played in Abu Dhabi?
The match was played at the Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium in Abu Dhabi as part of a wider multi-format tour of the United Arab Emirates for both teams, to be followed by an ODI tri-series also involving Zimbabwe.
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