Sediqullah Atal’s Epic Century Helps Afghanistan Secure Historic Draw Against Bangladesh

Afghanistan secured a remarkable draw against Bangladesh in the one-off Test in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday, thanks to Sediqullah Atal’s marathon century and a determined lower-order rearguard.

Chasing an imposing target of 479, Afghanistan finished at 346/8 after batting for 142 overs. Qais Ahmad remained unbeaten on 49 off 80 balls, while Zia-ur-Rehman Akbar defended resolutely as Bangladesh failed to claim the final two wickets.

Atal anchored the innings with 111 off 332 balls, batting for eight hours and 34 minutes. His hundred was the first by an Afghanistan batter in the fourth innings of a Test. Hashmatullah Shahidi contributed 36, while Ikram Alikhil scored 33. Bangladesh appeared close to victory after Atal’s dismissal left Afghanistan at 281/7.

Yamin Ahmadzai then scored 19 before falling, but Qais and Zia-ur-Rehman held firm through the closing overs. Missed run-out opportunities and a dropped catch proved costly for Bangladesh, who could not break Afghanistan’s resistance.

The result capped an extraordinary fourth-innings fightback by Afghanistan.