Rahmat Shah steadies Afghanistan after Bangladesh post 346

Rahmat Shah’s unbeaten 84 carried Afghanistan to 211–4 at stumps on day two of the one-off Test against Bangladesh in Abu Dhabi. Afghanistan still trail by 135 runs, but Shah and Ikram Alikhil’s unbroken 72-run stand kept the hosts in the match after two wickets fell shortly after tea.

Afghanistan ended Saturday with a Test innings still alive because Rahmat and Alikhil batted through the final session after Bangladesh had threatened to turn a first-innings lead into full control at Zayed Cricket Stadium.

Bangladesh, resuming on 317–8, were bowled out for 346 after adding 29 runs to their overnight score. Nayeem Hasan was unbeaten on 35, while Mohammad Saleem finished as Afghanistan’s leading bowler with 4–82 and Yamin Ahmadzai took 3–79, according to current match reports and score updates.

Afghanistan’s reply was uneven before tea. Sediqullah Atal made 17, and Abdul Malik gave the innings its first anchor with 62, his maiden Test half-century, before Ebadot Hossain removed him early in the evening session.

Hashmatullah Shahidi followed for a duck in the next over, leaving Afghanistan 139–4 and giving Bangladesh a clear chance to press into the lower order. Rahmat, batting as Afghanistan’s senior stabiliser, stayed with Alikhil for the rest of the day.

The fifth-wicket pair added 72 unbeaten runs from 194 balls. Rahmat closed on 84 from 186 deliveries, with eight fours and a six, while Alikhil reached 26 from 91 balls as Afghanistan reached 211–4 from 79 overs.

The match is scheduled to continue on Sunday. Afghanistan’s first task on day three is to cut the remaining 135-run deficit without exposing the tail too early; Bangladesh need a breakthrough before Rahmat can turn his overnight score into the innings that changes the balance of the Test.

Sources: Cricbuzz score update; Times of India; ACB file photograph.