Afghanistan holds Bangladesh to draw after final-day resistance

Afghanistan denied Bangladesh victory in their one-off Test in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday, finishing at 346-8 after surviving 142 overs in pursuit of a 479-run target.

Sediqullah Atal scored 111 from 332 balls in an innings lasting eight-and-a-half hours. Qais Ahmad remained unbeaten on 49 as Afghanistan secured a draw, reversing Bangladesh’s promising position reported Monday.

Bangladesh appeared close to winning when Atal fell after tea with Afghanistan at 281-7. Qais and Yamin Ahmadzai then added 45 for the eighth wicket, facing 110 deliveries together.

Ahmadzai’s dismissal left Bangladesh five overs to take the remaining two wickets, but Qais and Zia-ur-Rehman survived. Two missed run-out chances and a dropped catch added to Bangladesh’s frustration.

Ebadot Hossain and Mehidy Hasan Miraz each took three wickets. Atal became Afghanistan’s first fourth-innings Test centurion, Dawn reported.