Tea Afghanistan 240 and 265 for six (Atal 105*, Ahmadzai 0*, Ebadot 3-46) want one other 214 runs to beat Bangladesh 346 and 372 for 7 (Litton 102, Shanto 82, Mushfiqur 81, Zia 2-86)
Atal survived an opportunity shortly after lunch when Litton Das missed a troublesome stumping with the batter on 70. Litton had already set a brand new document with 9 dismissals, a century and a fifty within the match, however couldn’t add to his tally on that event. Atal made Bangladesh pay, opening up in opposition to the quick bowlers with a few boundaries.
Ismat Alam had spent almost an hour on the crease earlier than lastly getting off the mark off his forty fifth supply, a second marked by a slight smile. His resistance ended shortly afterwards when Mehidy had him caught within the slips.
Atal, in the meantime, entered the nineties with a swept boundary off Mehidy earlier than pulling one other 4 to carry up his maiden Check century. The milestone was greeted by an enormous roar from the younger left-hander, whose affected person knock had stored Afghanistan’s hopes alive.
Shahidi struck a few fours and a six on his return to the crease after his harm, however threw away his wicket simply earlier than tea. He charged Mehidy unnecessarily, solely to be caught by Hasan Mahmud at mid-on.
Bangladesh had managed only one wicket within the morning session, though Shahidi needed to go away the sector early after being struck on the knee by a throw from Hasan Mahmud. Atal and Ikram Alikhil then batted collectively for an hour and 33 minutes, irritating the hosts with a decided fourth-wicket stand.
Alikhil optimistic, driving Mehidy for an early boundary, whereas Atal reached his fifty off 166 balls earlier than launching Taijul Islam for 2 sixes. Taijul additionally got here near dismissing him when Atal misplaced management of his bat, which flew behind him and landed simply behind the stumps.
Bangladesh ultimately broke the partnership when Ebadot strangled Alikhil down the leg facet, with Litton taking a superb catch to finish his document 9 dismissals within the match.
Afghanistan had additionally proven resilience on the fourth day, negotiating 50 overs largely with out hiccups regardless of shedding Abdul Malik and Shahidullah early of their fourth innings. Rahmat Shah survived a dropped catch at slip and a mid-pitch mix-up with Atal earlier than the pair added 82 runs for the third wicket.
Rahmat turned solely the sixth cricketer to attain a century and a fifty on his captaincy debut, however fell shortly afterwards when Ebadot had him caught behind for 51 off 124 balls, together with 5 fours and a six.
Mohammad Isam is Cricinfo’s Bangladesh correspondent. @isam84