Rahmat Shah anchors Afghanistan against Bangladesh with unbeaten 84

Afghanistan reached 211 for 4 in their first innings against Bangladesh on October 10, 2026, trailing by 135 runs at the end of the day’s play in Abu Dhabi. Rahmat Shah anchored the innings with an unbeaten 84 off 186 balls, while Abdul Malik contributed a crucial half-century to steady the side after bowling out Bangladesh for 346 earlier in the day.

Morning Wickets and Afghanistan’s Response

The day began in Abu Dhabi with Afghanistan’s pace bowlers removing the two remaining Bangladesh wickets in 8.3 overs. Mohammad Saleem picked up his fourth wicket by having Taijul Islam caught behind, and Yamin Ahmadzai removed Ebadot Hossain with a slower delivery. Saleem finished with 4 for 82, following his 6 for 140 against India in Afghanistan’s previous Test in June. Ahmadzai took three wickets and Ismat Alam claimed two, marking the first time a fast bowling attack took nine wickets in a Test innings in Abu Dhabi as Bangladesh finished their first innings at 346, bolstered by Tanzid Hasan’s 83 and Shadman Islam’s 67.

After bowling out Bangladesh, Afghanistan went to lunch on 34 for 1 after Sediqullah Atal edged Hasan Mahmud to first slip where Tanzid took a catch to his left. Atal made three fours before falling, having survived an earlier caught-behind appeal where replays showed an inside edge that Bangladesh did not review.

Malik and Rahmat Fight Back

Following lunch, Afghanistan batted more positively. Shahidullah swept Mehidy Hasan Miraz and Mahmud conceded early boundaries, while Abdul Malik played with confidence. Shahidullah fell for 20 off 44 balls after top-edging a hook against Ebadot Hossain in the 21st over, resulting in a tumbling catch by Mahmud running in from fine-leg.

Rahmat responded instantly with a cover drive and hit Taijul Islam for a straight six, a stroke Malik soon repeated against the same bowler. Malik also cover drove Nayeem Hasan before reaching his maiden Test half-century in the 34th over.

Late Strikes from Bangladesh

Bangladesh wicketkeeper Litton Das brought his side back into the contest shortly after the tea break by taking a brilliant diving catch to his right when the set Malik edged Ebadot five balls into the third session. Malik’s knock of 62 from 120 balls included five boundaries and a six.

In the very next over, Litton completed a fine stumping when a delivery from Mehidy turned and bounced sharply to dismiss former Afghanistan captain Hashmatullah Shahidi for a two-ball duck. Following the double breakthrough, Rahmat and Alikhil rebuilt the innings carefully. Rahmat broke a boundary drought in the 60th over by hitting two fours off Nayeem, later striking Mehidy for consecutive boundaries in the 77th over to bring up Afghanistan’s 200. At stumps, Rahmat was unbeaten on 84 with eight fours and a six, alongside Alikhil, whose 26 came off 91 balls.