Mushfiqur Rahim and Najmul Hossain Shanto fell short of centuries despite putting Bangladesh in a commanding position against Afghanistan on the third day of the one-off Test in Abu Dhabi on Sunday.
Both batters departed in the 80s after sharing a 159-run partnership, leaving Bangladesh at 223-6 at stumps with an overall lead of 329 runs at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium.
Mushfiq made 81 off 148 balls, hitting seven fours, before falling while attempting to lift Zia-ur-Rehman over the wicketkeeper. Shanto scored 82 off 191 deliveries before being bowled by a Qais Ahmad leg-break. They rescued Bangladesh after early wickets and put the visitors in a strong position to build a match-winning lead.
Bangladesh had earlier taken a 106-run first-innings lead after bowling Afghanistan out for 240. Resuming the day on 211-4, the hosts lost their last six wickets for just 23 runs, with Hasan Mahmud claiming a hat-trick on his way to a five-wicket haul.
Hasan became the first Bangladesh fast bowler to take a Test hat-trick, dismissing Ismat Alam, Qais Ahmad and Zia-ur-Rehman in three consecutive deliveries after Bangladesh took the second new ball. He finished with 5-55, his fourth five-wicket haul in Tests, equalling Shahadat Hossain’s record for the most five-fors by a Bangladesh pacer. Ebadot Hossain claimed 4-56.
Rahmat Shah remained unbeaten on 109, his fourth Test century in 13 matches and his second against Bangladesh, but received little support as Afghanistan’s innings collapsed.
Bangladesh began their second innings aggressively through Tanzid Hasan, who struck three consecutive boundaries off Yamin Ahmadzai. He made 31 off 38 balls before falling after the interval. Shadman Islam and Mominul Haque had already departed, leaving the visitors in need of a partnership.
Mushfiq and Shanto delivered, batting through the afternoon session and rebuilding the innings. Mushfiq reached his 30th Test fifty off 73 balls, while Shanto took 135 deliveries to reach the milestone before accelerating.
Bangladesh sent Hasan in as nightwatchman, but he was trapped lbw by Zia, leaving the visitors at 223-6. Mehidy Hasan Miraz joined Litton Das at the crease for the final day, with Bangladesh well placed but still ruing the missed centuries from their two senior batters.
