BAN vs AFG One-Off Test Day 4 Highlights: Litton Das 102 Drives Declaration Before Rahmat Shah Fights Back for Afghanistan

A dominant morning declaration followed by determined fourth-innings resistance set up an absorbing final day in the one-off Test between Bangladesh and Afghanistan at the Zayed Cricket Stadium in Abu Dhabi. Resuming their second innings on the fourth morning, Bangladesh rode on a quickfire century from wicketkeeper-batter Litton Das to declare on 372 for 7, setting Afghanistan a massive target of 479. While Bangladesh's pace pair struck early blows, Rahmat Shah's composed 51 and an unbeaten 35 from opener Sediqullah Atal carried Afghanistan to 132 for 3 in 50 overs by stumps on Day 4, leaving the contest intriguingly poised with 347 runs required on the final day.

DailyCricInfo breaks down the full verified scorecard statistics, decisive partnerships, and tactical expectations ahead of Day 5 in the UAE.

Litton Das Century and Lower-Order Blitz Drive Bangladesh to 372 for 7 Declared

Building on their commanding 106-run first-innings cushion, Bangladesh took the game away from Afghanistan during Monday's morning session.

Resuming on 222 for 5, captain Najmul Hossain Shanto and veteran middle-order batter Mushfiqur Rahim had already laid a formidable platform on Day 3 with scores of 82 and 81 respectively. While Shanto fell to leg-spinner Qais Ahmad and Mushfiqur was dismissed by left-arm spinner Zia-ur-Rehman, Bangladesh wicketkeeper-batter Litton Das unleashed an aggressive assault.

Litton dismantled the Afghan bowling attack with clean boundary striking, reaching his fourth Test century in just 114 deliveries.

The right-hander struck 14 boundaries in his 117-ball 102, adding an unbroken lower-order alliance alongside all-rounder Mehidy Hasan Miraz, who contributed a composed 52 not out off 97 balls. Fast bowler Mohammad Saleem eventually had Litton caught behind by Ikram Alikhil in the 106th over, prompting Bangladesh to declare at 372 for 7 in 105.2 overs and establish an imposing fourth-innings target of 479.

Mohammad Saleem (2 for 69), Yamin Ahmadzai (2 for 96), and Zia-ur-Rehman (2 for 86) shared the wickets in a grueling bowling effort for Afghanistan.

Ebadot and Hasan Strike Early Before Rahmat Shah Mounts Defiance

Confronting a daunting 479-run chase across five sessions, Afghanistan suffered an immediate double setback against Bangladesh's opening seamers.

Speedster Ebadot Hossain struck in his very first over, finding the outside edge of opener Abdul Malik (2) with an unplayable outswinger, safely caught by Litton Das behind the stumps. Pacer Hasan Mahmud then removed Shahidullah Kamal for 19 in the seventh over, again via Litton Das's gloves, to reduce Afghanistan to 28 for 2.

From that precarious position, first-innings centurion Rahmat Shah joined young opener Sediqullah Atal to steady the innings with an 82-run partnership for the third wicket.

Rahmat handled Bangladesh's three-prong spin attack of Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Taijul Islam, and Nayeem Hasan with textbook footwork, using the sweep shot effectively. Rahmat brought up his half-century off 120 deliveries, striking five boundaries and a six in a patient 124-ball 51 before Ebadot Hossain returned with an incisive reverse-swinging delivery to have him caught behind by Litton Das in the 43rd over.

Atal and Shahidi Hold Firm at Stumps

Afghanistan captain Hashmatullah Shahidi joined Sediqullah Atal to see out the remaining seven overs under fading evening light.

Atal displayed admirable defensive temperament, grinding out an unbeaten 35 off 126 deliveries with a four and a six. Shahidi defended solidly, scoring 19 not out off 27 deliveries with two boundaries and a six to take Afghanistan to 132 for 3 in 50 overs by the close of play.

Ebadot Hossain was the pick of the Bangladeshi bowlers on Day 4, claiming 2 for 32 in ten overs, while Hasan Mahmud bowled with discipline to return 1 for 31. Bangladesh's frontline spinners Taijul Islam (0 for 24 in 15 overs) and Mehidy Hasan Miraz (0 for 31 in seven overs) kept the scoring rate down to 2.64 without breaking through the lower-middle order.

What to Expect on Day 5: Scenarios in Abu Dhabi

With 90 overs remaining on Tuesday and Afghanistan needing 347 runs with seven wickets in hand, Day 5 presents three clear possibilities:

1. The Spin Squeeze for Bangladesh With footmarks widening outside the right-handers' off stump, Taijul Islam and Mehidy Hasan Miraz will play central roles on the final day. If Bangladesh can remove Shahidi and Atal inside the opening hour, they will expose Afghanistan's lower order to variable turn and bounce.

2. Afghanistan's Battle for Survival While 347 runs remains a steep fourth-innings target, Afghanistan's primary goal will be to bat through three sessions to secure a draw. With wicketkeeper-batter Ikram Alikhil and all-rounders Ismat Alam and Zia-ur-Rehman to follow, extended resistance from the overnight pair is vital.

3. Reverse Swing with the Soft Ball If the pitch offers minimal assistance to spinners during the afternoon heat, captain Najmul Hossain Shanto will lean on Ebadot Hossain and Hasan Mahmud to generate reverse swing with the older ball to break stubborn partnerships.

Can Bangladesh take seven wickets on Day 5 to wrap up a comprehensive victory, or will Hashmatullah Shahidi's side pull off a historic rearguard in Abu Dhabi?

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