Rahmat Shah’s unbeaten 84 keeps Afghanistan in the hunt on Day 3 of the Test

When the lights came on in Abu Dhabi for the third day of the one‑off Test, Afghanistan found themselves 135 runs behind Bangladesh’s first‑innings total of 346. Yet, thanks to a dogged 84‑not‑out from captain Rahmat Shah, the visitors were not in free‑fall.

Shah, who faced 186 deliveries, peppered the ball to the boundary on eight occasions and even pulled off a lofted six over cover. He hung around the crease, and his calmness paid off when vice‑captain Ikram Alikhil, still on 26 off 91 balls, joined him at the fall of the fourth wicket.

Their unbroken 72‑run stand for the fifth wicket was the backbone of the innings. Together they nudged the scoreboard to 211 for four at tea, a respectable total that gave Afghanistan a glimmer of hope.

Bangladesh, however, tried to claw back momentum after the break. Wicket‑keeper Litton Das produced a superb diving catch to dismiss Abdul Malik, who had earlier made a solid 62 off 120 balls, including five fours and a six. Das then completed a quick stumping of Hashmatullah Shahidi, sending the Afghan opener back for a two‑ball duck.

Malik’s half‑century had been a welcome boost for Afghanistan earlier in the innings, arriving in the 34th over and offering a steadying presence while Shah held the fort. Meanwhile, Bangladesh’s own batting had been anchored by Tanzid Hasan’s 83 and Shadman Islam’s 67, which set up their 346‑run total before they were bundled out in 8.3 overs.

On the Bangladeshi side, Mohammad Saleem was the pick of the bowlers with figures of 4 for 82, while Yamin Ahmadzai claimed three wickets and Ismat Alam added two. The early loss of Sediqullah Atal and Shahidullah (20) put Afghanistan under pressure, but the partnership between Shah and Alikhil steadied the ship.

As the day drew to a close, Afghanistan still had six wickets in hand. The next challenge is clear: can Rahmat Shah push his half‑century into a maiden Test hundred and, with the help of his teammates, chip away at the 135‑run deficit? The answer will unfold tomorrow.