Tigers frustrated as Rahmat's unbeaten 84 leads Afghanistan resistance on Day 2

Rahmat Shah and Ikram Alikhil frustrated Bangladesh with an unbeaten fifth-wicket partnership as Afghanistan reached 211 for four at stumps on the second day of the one-off Test in Abu Dhabi on Saturday.

The pair added 72 runs after Mehidy Hasan Miraz dismissed Hashmatullah Shahidi for a two-ball duck in the 47th over, stumped by Litton Das, to leave the visitors at 139 for four.

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Skipper Rahmat was unbeaten on 84 off 186 balls, having reached his half-century off 112 deliveries with four fours and a six. Ikram had made 26 off 91 balls as the duo negotiated Bangladesh’s attack through the final session to keep the hosts at bay.

The fifth-wicket stand passed 50 runs off 159 balls and continued to frustrate the Tigers, who failed to make another breakthrough before stumps. Afghanistan added 10 runs after reaching 201 for four late in the session.

Earlier, Ebadot Hossain dismissed Abdul Malik for 62 to end the third-wicket partnership at 134. Malik, who faced 120 balls and struck four fours and a six, was caught behind by Litton in the 46th over. Ebadot had also removed Shahidullah for 20 earlier in the innings.

Hasan Mahmud dismissed Sediqullah Atal for 17 in the morning session, but Bangladesh missed another opportunity after choosing not to review a caught-behind appeal against the opener. Replays showed a clear edge.

Bangladesh, who resumed on 317 for eight, were bowled out for 346 in 92.3 overs. Nayeem Hasan remained unbeaten on 35 off 67 balls, while Taijul Islam made nine and Ebadot fell for a duck.

Afghanistan began their reply with a 30-run opening stand before Atal fell in the 11th over. Shahidullah's dismissal at 64 for two followed, but Malik and Rahmat added 70 for the third wicket to take Afghanistan to 134 before Ebadot struck.

Afghanistan ended the day trailing Bangladesh by 135 runs.

Malik-Rahmat stand tests Tigers' patience, AFG 131/2 at tea

Abdul Malik and Rahmat Shah frustrated Bangladesh with an unbeaten third-wicket partnership as Afghanistan reached 131 for two at tea on the second day of the one-off Test in Abu Dhabi on Saturday, with Bangladesh holding a 215-run lead.

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Photo: ACB

The pair added 67 runs after Ebadot Hossain dismissed Shahidullah for 20 in the 21st over, with Hasan Mahmud taking the catch, to leave Afghanistan at 64 for two.

Malik was unbeaten on 60 off 118 balls, having reached his half-century off 87 deliveries with four fours and a six. Rahmat had made 33 off 77 balls, hitting three fours and a six, as the duo negotiated Bangladesh’s attack through the remainder of the session.

Afghanistan crossed 100 in the 32nd over and reached tea without losing another wicket, adding 67 runs for the third wicket to keep Bangladesh at bay.

Hasan had taken one wicket for 28 runs from 12 overs, while Ebadot had figures of one for 38 from eight overs. Mehidy Hasan Miraz and Taijul Islam had kept the scoring in check, conceding 15 and 31 runs respectively.

Earlier, Bangladesh had taken a wicket in the morning session when Hasan Mahmud dismissed Sediqullah Atal for 17, but missed another opportunity after choosing not to review a caught-behind appeal against the opener. Replays showed a clear edge.

Bangladesh, who resumed on 317 for eight, were bowled out for 346 in 92.3 overs. Nayeem Hasan remained unbeaten on 35 off 67 balls, while Taijul Islam made nine and Ebadot fell for a duck.