Afghanistan Keep Bangladesh at Bay as Qais Salvages a Historic Draw in the One-Off Test in Abu Dhabi

ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates, October 13, 2026: Bangladesh needed two wickets. Afghanistan needed every ounce of courage they had left. When Qais Ahmad launched Taijul Islam over deep midwicket off the final ball, the six brought an extraordinary five-day Test to an end, with Afghanistan surviving 142 overs to secure a remarkable draw at the Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium on Tuesday. Sediqullah Atal’s maiden Test century had laid the foundation, but it was Afghanistan’s lower order that refused to let Bangladesh complete a victory they had appeared certain to claim.

Set an imposing target of 479 after Bangladesh declared at 372/7, Afghanistan finished their second innings at 346/8, having survived 92 overs on the final day. Atal batted for more than eight and a half hours to make 111 from 332 balls, while Qais contributed an unbeaten 49, Yamin Ahmadzai faced 85 deliveries and Zia-ur-Rehman defended 12 crucial balls. Bangladesh dominated much of the contest through Litton Das’s 53 and 102, his record nine wicketkeeping dismissals, and substantial contributions from Hasan Mahmud and Ebadot Hossain. But dropped opportunities and Afghanistan’s extraordinary determination meant the only Test ended without a winner, leaving captains Najmul Hossain Shanto and Rahmat Shah to share the trophy.

Afghanistan vs Bangladesh Only Test 2026: Final Result and Match Summary

The five-day contest took place from October 9 to 13, 2026, at the Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium in Abu Dhabi.

The final figures reveal how close Bangladesh came to victory.

After taking a first-innings lead of 106, Bangladesh added 372 in their second innings and set Afghanistan a target well beyond any realistic expectation of a successful chase.

Afghanistan’s principal objective was survival.

Their batting lineup responded with one of the most memorable fourth-innings defensive efforts in the country’s Test history.

Day 5: Sediqullah Atal Turns a Losing Position Into a Test of Endurance

Afghanistan Resume at 132/3 With Bangladesh Firmly in Control

Afghanistan began the final morning at 132/3 after 50 overs.

They required another 347 runs to win, but the number that truly mattered was the remaining playing time.

Bangladesh needed seven wickets.

Afghanistan needed to occupy the crease until the final delivery.

Atal resumed on 35, having already demonstrated the patience required for the task.

His fourth-innings performance was built on something quite different from the attacking instincts associated with Afghanistan’s limited-overs cricket.

He left deliveries outside off stump, defended patiently and resisted the temptation to manufacture scoring opportunities simply because runs were available.

Every over completed without a wicket reduced Bangladesh’s opportunity to finish the match.

That is what made the innings valuable.

Atal’s runs mattered, but the time he consumed mattered even more.

Ikram Alikhil’s 33 and a Painful Interruption for Shahidi

Afghanistan received important support from Ikram Alikhil and Hashmatullah Shahidi.

Shahidi had survived the fourth evening alongside Atal, but his innings was interrupted by an injury after a throw struck the inside of his knee.

He retired hurt temporarily before returning later.

That disruption could have unsettled Afghanistan’s resistance.

Instead, Ikram helped maintain the defensive effort.

He made 33 from 69 balls, sharing a 66-run partnership with Atal.

The pair extended Afghanistan’s innings deep into the morning session, forcing Bangladesh to work considerably harder than they had anticipated.

Ebadot Hossain finally broke through when Ikram edged a delivery that Litton Das collected with an excellent one-handed diving catch.

Afghanistan reached lunch at 203/4 after 79 overs.

Bangladesh had taken only one wicket during the morning.

That changed the emotional balance of the match.

The bowling side remained favored, but the prospect of an Afghan escape was becoming increasingly credible.

Atal’s Maiden Test Century: 332 Balls That Changed Afghanistan’s Story

Atal reached his maiden Test century from 277 deliveries.

It was also Afghanistan’s first individual century in the fourth innings of a Test match.

The achievement was particularly significant because this was only his third Test.

Atal eventually finished with 111 from 332 deliveries, including nine fours and three sixes.

His innings lasted 514 minutes, approximately eight hours and 34 minutes.

In a match played under Abu Dhabi’s punishing heat, that physical and mental endurance was remarkable.

Why Atal’s Century Was More Valuable Than a Faster Hundred

Test centuries are often assessed through runs, strike rate, opposition and the quality of the bowling attack.

Atal’s innings requires a different measurement.

He scored at a strike rate of only 33.43.

In a limited-overs contest, such a rate would be a serious problem.

In this match, it was central to Afghanistan’s survival.

A delivery successfully defended was one fewer opportunity for Bangladesh to claim the wickets needed for victory.

Atal did not need to match Bangladesh’s scoring rate.

He needed to keep his wicket intact and occupy time.

That is why his 332-ball innings became the foundation of the draw.

His 111 also marked a notable contrast with Afghanistan’s attacking limited-overs identity. The country’s international reputation has often been shaped by explosive batting and high-impact spin bowling.

For example, TSE’s retrospective on Afghanistan’s 2023 World Cup victory over England examined how Rahmanullah Gurbaz’s attacking batting helped create one of Afghanistan’s defining ODI successes.

Atal supplied a very different type of performance in Abu Dhabi.

His restraint was as important as his shotmaking.

Atal Falls at 281/7, and Bangladesh See the Finish Line

Afghanistan’s resistance suffered a serious blow after tea.

Taijul Islam dismissed Atal at 118.4 overs, with Tanzid Hasan completing the catch.

The scoreboard read 281/7.

Afghanistan had three wickets remaining and more than 23 overs still to survive.

The most accomplished resistance of the innings had finally ended.

Bangladesh appeared to have regained control.

Yet Atal’s dismissal did not produce the collapse they expected.

Qais Ahmad and Yamin Ahmadzai still had something to contribute.

Qais Ahmad’s Unbeaten 49 Turns Desperation Into Celebration

Yamin Ahmadzai Holds Firm for 85 Deliveries

Yamin Ahmadzai’s 19 may appear modest beside Atal’s century.

But those 19 runs came from 85 deliveries.

His resistance allowed Afghanistan to survive a period in which every wicket could have brought the contest to a rapid conclusion.

After Atal’s dismissal, Yamin and Qais added 45 runs for the eighth wicket.

The partnership carried Afghanistan from 281/7 to 326/8.

It was another critical contribution from a player whose primary responsibility is bowling.

Yamin eventually fell to Mehidy Hasan Miraz at the end of the 137th over, caught by Mominul Haque.

Afghanistan were 326/8.

Bangladesh needed two more wickets.

Only five overs remained.

Qais Ahmad Survives Dropped Chances and Hamstring Trouble

Qais Ahmad produced one of the most absorbing lower-order innings of the match.

He survived several dangerous moments as Bangladesh searched for the breakthrough.

Missed run-out opportunities allowed Afghanistan to extend the contest, while Hasan Mahmud dropped Qais when the batter was on 29.

The missed catch proved costly.

Qais continued batting, but his physical condition also became part of the drama.

Late in the innings, he went down clutching his hamstring, raising doubts about whether he could continue moving freely.

He recovered sufficiently to remain at the crease.

That determination mattered because any further dismissal would have exposed Afghanistan’s remaining batter under enormous pressure.

Qais finished unbeaten on 49 from 80 deliveries, striking six fours and three sixes.

His innings was both attacking and defensive.

He had to score when opportunities appeared, but more importantly, he had to ensure Bangladesh could not dismiss him.

Zia-ur-Rehman’s 12 Balls Become as Valuable as a Boundary

With Yamin dismissed, Zia-ur-Rehman arrived to face the final phase of Bangladesh’s attack.

He did not score a run.

He faced 12 deliveries.

Those 12 balls were crucial.

Zia’s ability to remain unbeaten helped prevent Bangladesh from reaching the final wicket while Qais continued managing the remaining deliveries.

The final partnership added 20 runs from 30 balls.

In ordinary circumstances, a partnership worth 20 might be viewed as a minor contribution.

Here, it ensured Afghanistan survived the final five overs.

The Final-Ball Six: Qais Signs Off in Extraordinary Fashion

When the final over arrived, Afghanistan had effectively secured the draw.

Qais then turned the conclusion into a celebration.

He struck two sixes during Taijul Islam’s final over, including a powerful blow over deep midwicket from the last delivery of the match.

The final six carried Afghanistan to 346/8 after 142 overs.

Qais pumped his fists, embraced his partner and went down in sajda, offering thanks after surviving one of the most demanding situations of his Test career.

Afghanistan’s players celebrated with the intensity usually reserved for victory.

The scoreboard recorded a draw.

For a side that had spent nearly two days attempting to avoid defeat, the emotional significance was immense.

Litton Das Produces a Record-Breaking Test Despite Bangladesh’s Disappointment

Afghanistan’s extraordinary escape should not obscure what Litton Das achieved across the five days.

The Bangladesh wicketkeeper-batter scored a half-century in the first innings and a century in the second.

He also completed nine dismissals behind the stumps.

Those contributions earned him the Player of the Match award.

Litton’s 53 and 102: Two Innings, Two Different Responsibilities

Litton made 53 from 89 balls during Bangladesh’s first innings.

He then struck 102 from 117 deliveries in the second innings, including 14 fours.

His second-innings century helped Bangladesh recover from 223/6 and build a commanding declaration total.

Mehidy Hasan Miraz supported him with an unbeaten 52.

The pair added 149 for the seventh wicket, taking Bangladesh from 223/6 to 372/7.

That partnership was especially important because Bangladesh’s earlier middle-order progress had been interrupted by wickets at critical moments.

Litton’s acceleration allowed captain Najmul Hossain Shanto to declare with a lead of 478, setting Afghanistan 479 to win.

Nine Dismissals, a Century and a Fifty: Litton Makes Test History

Litton’s work behind the stumps produced an extraordinary statistical achievement.

He completed eight catches and one stumping during the match.

Those nine dismissals, combined with scores of 53 and 102, made him the first wicketkeeper in Test history to record at least nine dismissals alongside a century and a half-century in the same match.

He surpassed a comparable achievement by South Africa’s Denis Lindsay, who scored 69 and 182 against Australia in Johannesburg in 1966 while completing eight dismissals.

Litton also broke Bangladesh’s national record of seven wicketkeeping dismissals in a Test, previously held by Khaled Mashud.

The achievement came on Litton’s 32nd birthday.

It was an extraordinary personal milestone, even though the team could not turn the performance into victory.

Bangladesh’s recent Test cricket has already produced remarkable individual achievements.

In August, TSE examined Hasan Mahmud’s nine-wicket performance during Bangladesh’s historic victory over Australia in Darwin, a match in which Tanzid Hasan also contributed a century.

Litton’s Abu Dhabi performance adds another chapter to that developing record of individual excellence.

Litton Admits the Heat Made Five Days Extremely Demanding

After receiving the Player of the Match award, Litton spoke about the difficulty of maintaining his concentration and energy in the heat.

He explained that he had to focus carefully on conserving energy while wicketkeeping for long periods.

Bangladesh captain Shanto also praised Litton’s stamina and his ability to maintain high standards behind the stumps.

Litton admitted disappointment that Bangladesh could not complete the victory, but acknowledged that such results remain part of Test cricket.

His assessment reflected a match in which personal success and collective frustration arrived together.

How Bangladesh Built a 478-Run Lead and Still Could Not Win

Day 1: Tanzid Hasan’s 83 Gives Bangladesh the Early Advantage

Bangladesh elected to bat first.

Openers Tanzid Hasan and Shadman Islam provided an excellent start, adding 124 runs for the first wicket.

Tanzid scored 83 from only 71 deliveries, striking eight fours and four sixes.

Shadman contributed 67 from 111 balls.

The partnership gave Bangladesh an opportunity to build a substantial first-innings total.

Afghanistan fought back through Mohammad Saleem, Yamin Ahmadzai and Ismat Alam.

Bangladesh slipped from 221/2 to 225/5 as Mominul Haque, Mushfiqur Rahim and Shanto fell in quick succession.

Litton’s 53 and Nayeem Hasan’s unbeaten 35 helped prevent a deeper collapse.

Bangladesh finished the opening day at 317/8.

Day 2: Rahmat Shah’s Unbeaten Century Cannot Prevent a 106-Run Deficit

Bangladesh were eventually dismissed for 346.

Saleem finished with 4/82, while Yamin took 3/79 and Ismat collected 2/20.

Afghanistan’s response featured important contributions from Abdul Malik and captain Rahmat Shah.

Malik made 62, while Rahmat produced an unbeaten 105 from 216 deliveries.

The captain struck 10 fours and two sixes, demonstrating the concentration needed to withstand Bangladesh’s pace attack.

Afghanistan reached 211/4 by the close of the second day.

However, the lower order could not build sufficiently on Rahmat’s innings.

Hasan Mahmud finished with 5/55, while Ebadot Hossain took 4/56.

Afghanistan were dismissed for 240, conceding a first-innings deficit of 106.

Rahmat was left stranded on 105 not out.

Day 3: Shanto and Mushfiqur Rescue Bangladesh From 53/3

Bangladesh’s second innings began badly.

Shadman departed for 13, Mominul made seven and Tanzid fell for 31.

The scoreboard read 53/3 after 14.6 overs.

Shanto and Mushfiqur Rahim then rebuilt the innings through a substantial fourth-wicket partnership.

Shanto scored 82 from 191 balls.

Mushfiqur made 81 from 148.

Together they added 159 runs, taking Bangladesh to 212/4 before Mushfiqur was dismissed.

Shanto followed shortly afterward.

Hasan Mahmud also fell cheaply, leaving Bangladesh at 223/6.

Litton and Mehidy began the partnership that would eventually carry the innings toward a commanding declaration.

Bangladesh finished Day 3 at 223/6.

Day 4: Litton’s Century Sets Afghanistan an Almost Impossible Target

Litton and Mehidy resumed with Bangladesh already holding a substantial advantage.

They converted that position into near-total control.

Litton attacked when opportunities appeared, reaching his seventh Test century.

Mehidy provided stability and finished unbeaten on 52.

Their 149-run seventh-wicket partnership took Bangladesh to 372/7.

Shanto declared immediately after Litton’s dismissal.

Afghanistan were left chasing 479.

They began poorly.

Abdul Malik fell for two, and Shahidullah made 19.

Rahmat and Atal briefly steadied the innings with an 82-run partnership, but Ebadot dismissed Rahmat for 51.

Afghanistan closed at 132/3 after 50 overs.

That left Bangladesh needing seven wickets on the final day.

Afghanistan’s batting survival had already begun, but its greatest examination was still to come.

Why Did Bangladesh Fail to Take the Final Two Wickets?

Bangladesh’s disappointment cannot be explained by one missed chance or one ineffective bowler.

Several factors influenced the final result.

1. Atal Removed More Than Eight Hours From Bangladesh’s Opportunity

Atal’s innings meant Bangladesh had to bowl hundreds of deliveries without removing the batter anchoring the resistance.

His 332-ball contribution consumed a substantial portion of Afghanistan’s fourth innings.

Even after he was dismissed, the time he had taken from the match could not be recovered.

2. Bangladesh Missed Opportunities at Critical Moments

Bangladesh’s bowlers created chances, particularly during the final session.

But the fielders did not convert every opportunity.

Hasan Mahmud’s dropped catch when Qais was on 29 was particularly costly.

There were also missed run-out opportunities during Afghanistan’s lower-order resistance.

Litton himself missed a difficult chance to stump Atal when the batter was on 70.

In a five-day Test, dropped chances can have consequences extending well beyond the immediate delivery.

Atal survived to score 111, while Qais remained unbeaten to the end.

3. Afghanistan’s Tail Understood That Survival Was the Objective

Yamin’s 85-ball innings and Zia’s 12-ball resistance demonstrated the importance of lower-order discipline.

Neither batter needed to produce a substantial score.

Their primary responsibility was to deny Bangladesh the wickets required to complete the match.

Qais combined that approach with selective attacking strokes.

His finishing sixes were spectacular, but the earlier defensive deliveries were equally valuable.

4. Bangladesh’s Spin Attack Could Not Finish the Contest

Bangladesh’s fast bowlers dominated Afghanistan’s first innings.

Hasan Mahmud and Ebadot Hossain combined for nine of the 10 wickets.

In the fourth innings, Ebadot claimed three wickets, Hasan took one, Mehidy collected three and Taijul dismissed Atal.

The seamers and spinners therefore shared the eight wickets equally.

But Taijul bowled 48 overs for just one wicket.

He conceded 112 runs, maintaining an economy rate of only 2.33.

That was economical bowling, but Bangladesh needed dismissals more urgently than they needed to restrict scoring.

Shanto subsequently acknowledged that he had expected his spinners to become more influential as the match progressed.

His assessment was fair, although Afghanistan’s disciplined batting also deserves credit for denying the bowlers attacking opportunities.

The difficulty of taking fourth-innings wickets is one of Test cricket’s recurring tactical themes. TSE’s analysis of India’s attempt to dismiss Sri Lanka in the fourth innings at Galle explored how sustained pressure, spin and defensive concentration can determine a Test’s final stages.

Abu Dhabi offered another example, but this time the batting side survived.

What the Captains Said After the Draw

Najmul Hossain Shanto: Bangladesh Could Not Finish Their Chances

Bangladesh captain Shanto acknowledged Afghanistan’s determination while expressing disappointment that his side failed to complete the victory.

He believed Bangladesh had created opportunities but had not taken enough of them.

Shanto praised the fast bowlers, highlighting Hasan Mahmud and Ebadot Hossain, while admitting he had expected his spinners to play a greater role.

He also singled out Litton Das for his endurance and the quality of his batting and wicketkeeping.

His comments captured the central frustration facing Bangladesh.

The team had created a winning position through batting depth, pace bowling and an imposing declaration.

But Test victories require all 20 opposition wickets.

Bangladesh finished two short.

Rahmat Shah and Afghanistan Celebrate Their Survival

Rahmat Shah contributed an unbeaten first-innings century and a second-innings half-century.

His performances were crucial in keeping Afghanistan competitive before Atal’s marathon effort changed the final result.

Although no verbatim post-match quotation from Rahmat is included in the supplied material, the scorecard establishes his contribution as one of the match’s outstanding individual performances.

At the presentation, the two captains shared the trophy before the teams gathered for a photograph.

Afghanistan’s celebrations reflected what the draw meant to a team that had been forced to defend for almost two full days.

Afghanistan’s 142 Overs: Why This Draw Belongs Among Test Cricket’s Great Escapes

Afghanistan’s fourth innings lasted 142 overs, equivalent to 852 legal deliveries.

Of those, 92 overs were completed on the fifth day.

That meant Bangladesh bowled 552 legal deliveries on the final day without taking the seven wickets needed for victory.

Atal faced 332 balls in the fourth innings alone.

Qais faced 80.

Yamin faced 85.

Zia survived 12.

Those individual contributions reveal how Afghanistan extended the contest across several different partnerships.

The innings was among the longest fourth-innings defensive efforts by a team securing a Test draw.

It was also Afghanistan’s first fourth-innings Test century, provided by Atal.

Why a Draw Can Become an Achievement in Test Cricket

A Test draw does not always indicate that two teams performed equally.

Bangladesh were ahead for much of the match.

They scored substantially more runs across their completed batting effort, established the first-innings advantage and created the only realistic opportunity to win.

Afghanistan’s objective in the final innings was different.

They had to prevent Bangladesh from converting that position into victory.

The distinction matters because Test cricket rewards a range of skills that shorter formats rarely examine for such extended periods.

Batters must control scoring impulses, survive changes in bowling, endure difficult physical conditions and maintain concentration across entire sessions.

A side can lose wickets, lose momentum and lose any realistic chance of victory while still preserving its position through disciplined defense.

That was Afghanistan’s achievement in Abu Dhabi.

Bangladesh’s own Test cricket has demonstrated how quickly momentum can change. Our report on Australia’s remarkable two-day victory over Bangladesh in Mackay examined the opposite extreme, when relentless bowling pressure ended a Test in only 125 overs.

Abu Dhabi lasted five full days.

The contrast illustrates the extraordinary range of outcomes possible in the longest format.

What Does the Result Mean for Afghanistan and Bangladesh?

Afghanistan Gain Confidence in Their Red-Ball Identity

Afghanistan have established themselves internationally through exceptional limited-overs achievements, particularly in major ICC tournaments.

Their Test cricket development has followed a different path.

The format requires sustained partnerships, adaptation to changing conditions and the ability to survive prolonged periods without scoring freely.

Atal’s 111, Rahmat’s unbeaten 105 and Qais’s closing resistance provided encouraging evidence of those developing skills.

The draw does not mean Afghanistan have solved every batting problem.

They were dismissed for 240 in the first innings, and their second innings required several lower-order contributions to avoid defeat.

But the match demonstrated that Afghanistan can remain competitive across five days even after surrendering a substantial advantage.

That resilience will matter as the team seeks greater consistency in international Test cricket.

Bangladesh Must Turn Dominant Positions Into Victories

Bangladesh’s recent Test performances have shown considerable promise alongside recurring inconsistency.

The historic victory in Darwin was followed by a heavy defeat in Mackay.

In Abu Dhabi, the batting lineup produced two substantial totals, and the bowlers created a position from which victory appeared likely.

The result was another reminder that Test success depends on sustaining execution until the final wicket.

Bangladesh’s return to Australia earlier in 2026 had already exposed the difference between individual brilliance and consistent team performance. That challenge was central to TSE’s preview of Bangladesh’s first Test tour of Australia in 23 years.

Abu Dhabi adds a different lesson.

Bangladesh did not suffer a batting collapse or a comprehensive bowling failure.

They failed to close a match in which their bowlers had created enough opportunities to win.

Shanto’s side will need to examine the missed chances, the workload distribution among the bowlers and the strategies used against stubborn lower-order batters.

The Case for More Than One Test

One unfortunate feature of the series was that it consisted of only one Test.

Both teams contributed to a contest that developed dramatically over five days.

Bangladesh demonstrated greater control for long periods, while Afghanistan produced the more memorable closing resistance.

A second Test would have offered an immediate opportunity to examine how each side responded to those developments.

Bangladesh could have tested adjustments to their bowling and fielding strategies.

Afghanistan could have attempted to build on the confidence generated by Atal’s century and the lower order’s survival.

Instead, the trophy was shared after one extraordinary match.

The episode also highlights the wider value of sustained Test schedules. The Sports Encounter’s examination of 19 consecutive scheduled days of Test cricket in August explored how multi-match series create developing narratives that a single contest cannot fully resolve.

Afghanistan vs Bangladesh: Complete Four-Innings Scorecard

The following scorecards reproduce the final batting and bowling figures from the completed Test. Overs use standard cricket notation, where an entry such as 92.3 represents 92 overs and three deliveries.

Bangladesh First Innings: 346 All Out (92.3 Overs)

Afghanistan First Innings: 240 All Out (89.1 Overs)

Bangladesh Second Innings: 372/7 Declared (105.2 Overs)

Did not bat: Nayeem Hasan, Taijul Islam, Ebadot Hossain.

Afghanistan Second Innings: 346/8 (142 Overs)

Did not bat: Mohammad Saleem.

Retired-hurt note: Hashmatullah Shahidi temporarily left the innings before returning and being dismissed for 36. His temporary retirement was not a wicket.

Afghanistan Fourth-Innings Fall of Wickets

The scorecards show how the match changed through successive partnerships. Afghanistan’s position at 281/7 looked dangerous, but the final two partnerships consumed the remaining deliveries Bangladesh needed to claim victory.

For the official Afghan perspective, see the Afghanistan Cricket Board’s match report. The complete Cricbuzz scorecard provides the innings figures and wicket sequence.

Afghanistan vs Bangladesh Test 2026: Frequently Asked Questions

Who won the Afghanistan vs Bangladesh Test in Abu Dhabi?

Neither team won. The one-off Test ended in a draw after Afghanistan reached 346/8 from 142 overs in their fourth innings.

What was the target set by Bangladesh?

Bangladesh set Afghanistan a target of 479 after scoring 346 in their first innings and declaring their second at 372/7.

Who scored Afghanistan’s fourth-innings century?

Sediqullah Atal scored 111 from 332 balls, becoming Afghanistan’s first Test batter to make a fourth-innings century.

How many overs did Afghanistan bat to save the match?

Afghanistan survived 142 overs in their second innings, including 92 overs on the final day.

What was Qais Ahmad’s final score?

Qais Ahmad finished unbeaten on 49 from 80 balls, including six fours and three sixes. He struck the final delivery for six.

Who was Player of the Match?

Bangladesh wicketkeeper-batter Litton Das received the award after scoring 53 and 102 and completing nine dismissals behind the stumps.

What record did Litton Das set?

Litton became the first Test wicketkeeper to combine a century, a half-century and nine dismissals in one match. His nine dismissals included eight catches and one stumping.

Who took five wickets for Bangladesh?

Hasan Mahmud took 5/55 in Afghanistan’s first innings. Ebadot Hossain claimed four wickets in that innings and three more in the fourth innings.

How many wickets did Taijul Islam take in the final innings?

Taijul took one wicket for 112 runs from 48 overs, dismissing Sediqullah Atal for 111.

Why was the Test declared a draw?

Afghanistan survived until the scheduled end of the fifth day with two wickets remaining. Bangladesh could not dismiss all 10 batters before time expired.

The Sports Encounter Verdict: Atal Built the Escape, Qais Made It Unforgettable

Bangladesh had enough runs.

They had taken the first-innings lead, rebuilt their second innings and set a target that placed Afghanistan under immense pressure.

They also possessed a wicketkeeper enjoying one of the finest matches of his career and a bowling attack that had already taken 10 Afghan wickets for 240 in the first innings.

The match was theirs to finish.

Atal refused to let them.

For 332 deliveries, he absorbed the pressure and consumed the time Bangladesh needed to secure victory.

Rahmat Shah, Hashmatullah Shahidi, Ikram Alikhil and Ismat Alam made valuable contributions around him.

Then the match entered its most dramatic phase.

Atal was gone.

Bangladesh needed three wickets, then two.

Qais and Yamin kept resisting.

When Yamin finally departed, Zia joined Qais and helped negotiate the remaining deliveries.

The closing moments were filled with near misses, physical exhaustion and rising tension.

Yet Afghanistan survived.

Qais’s final six provided a memorable image for a match built primarily around defensive discipline.

Litton Das deserved his Player of the Match award. His century, half-century and nine dismissals created a performance of historical significance.

But the result will be remembered most vividly for Afghanistan’s refusal to surrender.

The one-off Test ended without a winner.

It produced two centuries for Afghanistan, another for Bangladesh, extraordinary wicketkeeping, a demanding final-day examination and one of the most dramatic lower-order escapes in recent Test cricket.

Bangladesh will remember the two wickets they could not take.

Afghanistan will remember the 142 overs they refused to lose.

For further match reports, historical records and original Test cricket analysis, follow The Sports Encounter’s cricket coverage.