Bangladesh need seven more wickets to win the one-off Test against Afghanistan in Abu Dhabi after taking control of the match on the fourth day on Monday.
Afghanistan finished the day with three wickets down in their chase of 479 runs. They now need another 347 runs to win on the final day.
Sediqullah Atal remained unbeaten on 35, while Hashmatullah Shahidi was not out on 19 at stumps. Bangladesh are in a strong position to secure victory, with Afghanistan facing a difficult task on the final day.
No team has successfully chased more than 418 runs in Test history. Afghanistan’s highest successful chase is just 149. The pitch could also make batting more difficult on the final day, with Bangladesh’s spinners likely to get more help from the surface.
Afghanistan made a poor start to their chase and lost two wickets with only 28 runs on the board.
However, they recovered to reach 51 for two at tea before Sediqullah Atal and captain Rahmat Shah continued to frustrate the Bangladesh bowlers.bThe pair added 82 runs and looked comfortable at the crease before Ebadot Hossain broke the partnership.
Rahmat scored 51 from 124 balls, hitting five fours and one six. Ebadot was Bangladesh’s most successful bowler with two wickets. He dismissed both Rahmat and opener Abdul Malik.
Hasan Mahmud, who took a hat-trick in Afghanistan’s first innings, claimed the other wicket.
Earlier, Litton Das scored his seventh Test century as Bangladesh declared their second innings at 372 for seven. Litton reached his hundred from 115 balls and celebrated by raising his bat and helmet towards the crowd.
The century came after a difficult period for the Bangladesh batter. He had registered three ducks during the recent Test series in Australia before scoring zero and two in his two matches at the Asian Games.
Despite surviving two chances during his innings, Litton made the most of his opportunities and finished with 102 runs from 117 balls, including 14 fours. Bangladesh resumed the day on 223 for six, with Litton and Mehidy Hasan Miraz at the crease.
The pair added 149 runs from 201 deliveries for the seventh wicket before Litton lost his wicket. Bangladesh declared their innings immediately after his dismissal, with Miraz remaining unbeaten on 52.
Miraz reached his half-century from 92 balls and struck five boundaries during his innings.
Their partnership helped Bangladesh set Afghanistan a record target and put the visitors in a strong position to complete the victory on the final day.
