Bangladesh 223-6, 329-run lead as Day 4 begins in one-off Test at Abu Dhabi

Mehidy Hasan Miraz and Litton Das resumed Bangladesh's second innings on Day 4 of the one-off Test against Afghanistan at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi on Monday, October 12, with Qais Ahmad set to open the bowling.

Bangladesh went into the morning holding a commanding overall lead of 329 runs after finishing Day 3 on 223 for 6. Afghanistan were bowled out for 240 in their first innings, leaving Bangladesh a first-innings advantage of 106; Rahmat Shah made a century in Afghanistan's innings while Hasan Mahmud led Bangladesh's attack with a five-wicket haul that included a hat-trick.

Hasan Mahmud's hat-trick came in the 83rd over of Afghanistan's first innings — he dismissed Ismat Alam for one, then induced an edge from Qais Ahmad which Litton Das took in a diving catch to his right, and trapped Zia-ur-Rehman leg-before wicket to complete the three in successive deliveries. Hasan later removed Yamin Ahmadzai for an 11-ball duck to finish with five wickets in the innings and became the first Bangladeshi fast bowler to take a Test hat-trick; the only other Bangladeshi hat-tricks in Tests came from Alok Kapali and Sohag Gazi. Taskin Ahmed wrote in a Facebook post: "Hat-Trick! Congratulations to Hasan Mahmud on becoming the first Bangladeshi fast bowler to claim a hat-trick in Test cricket,".

Bangladesh's second innings featured a rebuilding stand between Najmul Hossain Shanto and Mushfiqur Rahim that restored momentum after early losses; the pair posted a century partnership and both registered half-centuries before late breakthroughs. Rahim was removed by Zia-ur-Rehman in the final session, while Shanto fell for 82 to a sharply turning delivery from Qais Ahmad just before stumps on Day 3.

Afghanistan produced a late burst on Day 3 after Bangladesh had looked to be asserting control; the hosts lost their last six wickets for 21 runs to be dismissed for 240, despite Rahmat Shah finishing unbeaten on 105. Hasan Mahmud's five-wicket haul and Ebadot Hossain's four wickets were central to Bangladesh taking a 106-run first-innings lead.

Ebadot Hossain described his satisfaction at taking ten wickets alongside Hasan Mahmud and outlined the fast-bowling unit's plan of attacking the top of off stump with the occasional bouncer; he said the bowlers have built a strong bond and mutual support since 2021 and dedicated his wicket celebration to his two-month-old daughter.

Afghanistan bowling coach Hamid Hassan said the plan on a flat pitch was to bowl straight, limit runs and build pressure to take wickets, praising Saleem Safi, Yamin Ahmadzai and Azmat for their teamwork and expressing the hope they could take the remaining four Bangladesh wickets to keep the total near 350–360; he also noted the team recovers well after giving away easy runs early and expected spinners to make an impact as the pitch begins to turn.

The surface was reported to be deteriorating with sharp turn and variable bounce, a factor the coverage said could make Day 4 pivotal: if Bangladesh survive the new-ball opening spell they could dictate terms, while early wickets for Afghanistan could shift momentum and produce a dramatic session.

Play is scheduled to resume at 06:00 GMT on Monday, October 12, when Bangladesh will look to extend their lead further and Afghanistan will seek early breakthroughs to engineer a turnaround.