Afghanistan Face 347-Run Final-Day Chase Against Bangladesh After Rahmat’s Fifty

Afghanistan face a demanding final day against Bangladesh after reaching 132-3 at stumps on Monday, still requiring 347 runs to win their one-off Test.

Set a target of 479 after Bangladesh declared their second innings at 372-7, Afghanistan lost two early wickets before captain Rahmat Shah and Sediqullah Atal brought some stability to the chase.

Rahmat made 51 from 124 balls, striking five fours and a six. His 82-run partnership with Atal helped Afghanistan recover from 30-2 and carried their resistance into the final session.

The stand ended when Rahmat was caught behind by Litton Das off Ebadot Hossain.

Atal remained unbeaten on 35 from 126 deliveries, having occupied the crease through a difficult period against Bangladesh's attack. Hashmatullah Shahidi was 19 not out from 27 balls when play ended.

Afghanistan's innings had begun poorly. Abdul Malik fell for two, caught by Litton off Ebadot, before Shahidullah made 19 from 19 balls and was dismissed by Hasan Mahmud, again with Litton taking the catch.

Afghanistan reached tea at 51-2, with Rahmat and Atal both on 14. Their partnership provided the principal resistance of the innings, although Rahmat's dismissal left the visitors with another substantial task ahead.

Earlier, Bangladesh strengthened their position through three major contributions in the second innings.

Litton Das struck 102 from 117 balls, including 14 fours, while captain Najmul Hossain Shanto scored 82 from 191 deliveries and Mushfiqur Rahim added 81 from 148.

Mehidy Hasan Miraz remained unbeaten on 52 from 97 balls when Bangladesh declared after 105.2 overs.

Tanzid Hasan contributed 31, Shadman Islam scored 13 and Mominul Haque made seven.

Bangladesh had reached 337-6 by lunch, already leading by 443 runs, before adding another 35 runs and declaring.

Mohammad Saleem finished with 2-69 for Afghanistan, while Zia-ur-Rehman Akbar took 2-86 and Yamin Ahmadzai claimed 2-96. Qais Ahmad returned 1-70.

Bangladesh had established their advantage in the first innings, scoring 346 before dismissing Afghanistan for 240 to secure a lead of 106.

Their second-innings total extended the target to 479, leaving Afghanistan facing a chase beyond any successful fourth-innings pursuit in Test cricket.

Atal and Shahidi will resume on the fifth morning with seven wickets in hand.

For Afghanistan, the immediate challenge is to build long partnerships and survive Bangladesh's bowling attack. The target remains distant, but the remaining overs also give the visitors an opportunity to demonstrate the patience and resilience required in Test cricket.