Litton, Miraz pile on Afghan agony as Tigers stretch lead to 443

Litton Das rode his luck before batting with increasing authority, while Mehidy Hasan Miraz provided steadfast support as Bangladesh piled on 114 runs without losing a wicket in the morning session to tighten their grip on the one-off Test against Afghanistan in Abu Dhabi on Monday.

Resuming the fourth day on 223 for six, Bangladesh reached 337 for six at lunch, extending their overall lead to 443 runs after Litton and Miraz frustrated Afghanistan’s bowlers with an unbroken 114-run seventh-wicket partnership.

Tap here to add The Daily Star as a trusted source

Litton, unbeaten on five overnight, moved to 81 off 96 deliveries, striking 11 fours, while Miraz progressed from nought to 38 not out off 74 balls, with four boundaries. The pair added 50 runs in 72 balls and brought up their century stand in 135 deliveries, turning Bangladesh’s already strong position into a commanding one.

Afghanistan had opportunities to break the partnership but failed to capitalise. Litton was on 16 when Shahidullah Kamal failed to hold a difficult chance at slip off Qais Ahmad. Three overs later, Qais himself got his fingertips to a firm return drive but could not hold on, leaving the Bangladesh wicketkeeper with another reprieve.

In the 92nd over, Yamin Ahmadzai beat his inside edge and an appeal for caught behind was turned down even though Ultra-edge subsequently showed a thin deflection. 

Litton made those misses count. He brought up his half-century off 63 balls and grew increasingly fluent as the session progressed, punishing loose deliveries while remaining selective outside off stump. A textbook straight drive off Yamin Ahmadzai in the 92nd over showcased his timing, while a sweep for four off Zia-ur-Rehman and a series of crisp cuts kept the scoreboard moving.

Miraz, meanwhile, complemented Litton’s strokeplay with a measured innings, rotating the strike and ensuring Afghanistan could not build sustained pressure at either end. Their stand carried Bangladesh past 300 and then 330 without further damage.

Bangladesh’s second-innings platform had been built earlier by Najmul Hossain Shanto’s 82 and Mushfiqur Rahim’s 81, after the top order had stumbled to 53 for three.