Afghanistan Fight Back After Bangladesh’s Flying Start in Abu Dhabi Test
Bangladesh looked set for a commanding opening day in the one-off Test against Afghanistan after racing to 124 without loss. But a dramatic middle-session collapse changed the complexion of the contest, allowing Afghanistan’s fast bowlers to pull the visitors back and restrict them to 317 for 8 at stumps in Abu Dhabi.
Half-centuries from Tanzid Hasan, Shadman Islam and Litton Das gave Bangladesh a strong foundation and helped them post a competitive total. Yet the innings could have been far more imposing: Bangladesh lost three wickets for just four runs at a crucial point, turning a position of control into a fight to rebuild. Mohammad Saleem, Yamin Ahmadzai and Ismat Alam shared seven wickets, giving Afghanistan renewed confidence heading into the second day.
Tanzid and Shadman Put Bangladesh in Control
Bangladesh chose to bat on a surface that appeared well suited to stroke-making, and their opening pair immediately made the most of the conditions. Tanzid and Shadman combined for a brisk 124-run first-wicket stand, putting pressure on Afghanistan’s attack before the bowlers had time to settle.
Tanzid was the more explosive of the two. He scored 83 from only 71 deliveries, striking eight fours and four sixes in an innings built on confident footwork and clean hitting. Against the quick bowlers, he repeatedly moved forward to find gaps through the off side. When the spinners came on, he was equally willing to attack, including with three sixes hit down the ground.
His innings featured crisp drives and inventive shots, among them a slice over point and a six over extra cover off Ahmadzai. Tanzid appeared capable of carrying Bangladesh well beyond the opening partnership, but Ismat found the edge as the batter tried to maintain his attacking approach. The dismissal ended a rapid innings that fell just short of Tamim Iqbal’s reported Bangladesh record of 86 runs in the first session of a Test.
Shadman initially played the supporting role, then increased his scoring after the break. He added 60 runs with Mominul Haque for the second wicket and reached his ninth Test half-century. His 67 came from 111 balls, combining patience with timely aggression. Afghanistan eventually used the short ball to break through, with Shadman picking out Zia-ur-Rehman at square leg.
Afghanistan Seize the Momentum
Ahmadzai gave Afghanistan another opening by dismissing Mominul for 39. He then removed Mushfiqur Rahim for a duck, leaving Bangladesh suddenly short of the stability they had enjoyed in the morning. Captain Najmul Hossain Shanto looked composed during his stay, but Qais Ahmed drew an edge to send him back for 29.
Those wickets came in a damaging burst. Bangladesh slipped from 221 for 3 to 225 for 5, losing three batters for four runs after appearing firmly in command. The sequence was a reminder that a strong start in Test cricket offers no guarantee of a big total: disciplined bowling, pressure and one or two loose decisions can quickly reshape an innings.
For Afghanistan, the recovery was built on persistence as much as pace. Saleem, Ahmadzai and Ismat kept asking questions after Bangladesh’s openers had dominated, and the quick succession of dismissals gave the fielding side a clear route back into the match. Their challenge on the second morning will be to finish the tail without allowing Bangladesh’s final pair to add a substantial cushion.
Litton Das Helps Stabilise the Innings
Litton Das and Mehidy Hasan Miraz responded to the collapse with a valuable 62-run partnership for the sixth wicket. Mehidy focused on occupying the crease, making 24 from 67 balls with one boundary. His measured approach allowed Litton time to regain his rhythm and prevented Afghanistan from extending their breakthrough into another rapid collapse.
Litton’s half-century carried added significance after he had recorded three consecutive ducks in Bangladesh’s recent Test engagements in Australia. He scored 53 from 89 deliveries, hitting four boundaries and providing the innings with much-needed resistance. His stay ended when Ahmadzai completed a diving catch near the fine-leg boundary.
Afghanistan struck again in the same over. Saleem produced a yorker to bowl Hasan Mahmud, adding to his wicket tally and leaving Bangladesh at 299 for 8. Nayeem Hasan and Taijul Islam then survived the final four overs, ensuring the visitors reached the close without further loss.
Day 1 Score and Second-Day Outlook
Bangladesh: 317/8 — Tanzid Hasan 83, Shadman Islam 67, Litton Das 53; Mohammad Saleem 3/70. Afghanistan will resume the contest with two wickets still to take, while Bangladesh will look to push their total closer to 350.
The first session on day two could be important to both sides’ plans. If Nayeem and Taijul can add useful runs, Bangladesh may create a more challenging target for Afghanistan’s batters. If the visitors are dismissed quickly, Afghanistan’s bowlers will have completed an impressive recovery and their top order will have a chance to take advantage of the remaining time in the match.
Any cricket prediction after the opening day should account for how sharply momentum shifted. Bangladesh have the larger total and three substantial contributions, but Afghanistan’s bowlers have shown they can exploit pressure and take wickets in clusters. The pitch looked good for batting early on, though the match situation—not just the surface—will shape how both teams approach the next innings.
Bangladesh will want to turn their promising start into a total that rewards their top order’s work. Afghanistan, meanwhile, will aim to wrap up the innings quickly and carry the confidence of their late-day fightback into their batting effort. After a day that began with Bangladesh in control and ended with the contest finely balanced, the second morning promises to be a key chapter in this Abu Dhabi Test.
