ABU DHABI: The Afghanistan Bangladesh Test draw was secured the hard way on Tuesday, as Afghanistan batted through the entire final day at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium to finish on 346 for eight after 142 overs in pursuit of an improbable 479.
Sediqullah Atal was the hero of the resistance. The opener batted for more than eight hours for a maiden Test hundred, 111 off 332 balls with nine fours and three sixes, before falling late in the day. Qais Ahmad then held firm with an unbeaten 49 off 80 balls.
Bangladesh had started the day needing seven wickets and believing the game was theirs. They took wickets at regular intervals but could never break through often enough, as a largely unresponsive pitch offered their spinners little help.
Afghanistan Bangladesh Test draw: how the final day unfolded
Afghanistan resumed on 132 for three, still 347 runs short of the target, with survival the only realistic aim. Atal brought up his maiden Test century on the final day, reaching the mark off 278 deliveries, and became the first Afghanistan batter to score a hundred in the fourth innings of a Test.
He and captain Hashmatullah Shahidi, who made 36, ground down the bowlers through the middle of the day. When Atal finally fell to Taijul Islam, caught by Tanzid Hasan Tamim at short leg after a review confirmed a faint edge, Bangladesh sensed an opening.
But Qais Ahmad, better known for his spin bowling, produced the innings of his career. His unbeaten 49 off 80 balls, with six fours and three sixes, kept the scoreboard moving while Yamin Ahmadzai held up the other end.
Mehidy Hasan Miraz took three for 73 from 33 overs, Ebadot Hossain claimed three wickets, and Taijul Islam and Hasan Mahmud took one apiece.
Bangladesh’s missed chances prove costly
Bangladesh dominated large parts of the match. After winning the toss and posting 346, they bowled Afghanistan out for 240 to take a 106-run lead, with Hasan Mahmud taking five wickets and Ebadot four.
Litton Das then produced a record wicketkeeping display. His 102 off 117 balls, with 14 fours, powered the declaration at 372 for seven, and with fifties in both innings plus nine dismissals, he became the first wicketkeeper in Test history to combine the two feats in one match.
Shanto (82), Mushfiqur (81) and Mehidy’s unbeaten 52 built the platform, yet on a pitch that refused to deteriorate, Bangladesh could not finish the job and several missed chances let Afghanistan off the hook.
What the draw means for both sides
The result keeps the head-to-head between these two sides perfectly balanced. This was only the third Test meeting between Afghanistan and Bangladesh, and with one win apiece from the first two, the ledger now reads one win each and a draw.
For Afghanistan, it was a statement of growing maturity in the longest format. Batting 142 overs to save a game showed a patience that has not always been associated with their cricket, and Atal’s marathon hundred will be remembered as a landmark innings for the country.
Bangladesh, meanwhile, take positives from Litton’s record-breaking display but will rue their failure to force a result from such a commanding position. The one-off Test sat outside the World Test Championship, so neither side collects points, but Afghanistan collect something less tangible: proof they can go toe to toe over five days.
There is plenty of Test cricket ahead in the region. Sri Lanka have named Kusal Mendis as their all-format captain ahead of their Test tour of Pakistan, while Pakistan sealed their own home series against Sri Lanka with an 82-run rout in Rawalpindi. Pakistan’s recent meetings with Bangladesh have also gone the hosts’ way, including victory in the Asian Games final. Lahore will soon host ODI tri-series action with tickets on sale.
Frequently asked questions
What was the result of the Afghanistan vs Bangladesh Test?
The one-off Test in Abu Dhabi ended in a draw, with Afghanistan finishing on 346 for eight in 142 overs chasing 479.
How many runs did Sediqullah Atal score?
Atal scored 111 off 332 balls in over eight hours, with nine fours and three sixes. It was his maiden Test hundred and the first by an Afghan batter in a fourth innings.
What record did Litton Das set?
Litton became the first wicketkeeper in Test history to score fifty-plus in both innings and take nine dismissals in one match. He made 102 off 117 balls in the second innings.
Where was the Afghanistan vs Bangladesh Test played?
The match was played at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi from October 9 to 13, 2026, outside the World Test Championship.
 and Qais Ahmad's unbeaten 49 earned Afghanistan a famous draw against Bangladesh in Abu Dhabi.){kind=link}