Afghanistan seized the second session of the one-off Test in Abu Dhabi on October 10, reaching 131 for two at tea. Abdul Malik and Rahmat Shah batted through the afternoon, leaving the visitors 215 runs behind Bangladesh’s first innings total of 346.

Only one wicket fell in 32 overs, while 97 runs came. Malik reached his first Test half-century on the way to an unbeaten 60, and captain Rahmat Shah was on 33 as the pair shut the door on Bangladesh.

Bangladesh’s three spinners, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Nayeem Hasan and Taijul Islam, went wicketless. The pitch offered them almost no turn, and the surface looked friendlier to batters than it had on day one, so the hosts struggled to build any pressure.

With only two frontline pacers in the XI, Miraz was brought on early and conceded nine runs in his first four overs. Captain Najmul Hossain Shanto kept returning to Hasan Mahmud in search of a breakthrough, but none came before the interval.

The one wicket of the session had arrived earlier, when Ebadot Hossain bounced out Shahidullah Kamal for 20. The batter pulled and edged towards deep fine leg, where Hasan Mahmud ran in and held a diving catch, before Ebadot unveiled his salute.

The morning had been Bangladesh’s. Hasan Mahmud conceded 11 runs in his opening seven overs and removed Sediqullah Atal for 17, caught by Tanzid Hasan at slip. Afghanistan were 34 for one at lunch, and Bangladesh felt they deserved more.

Two review errors hurt them. One was wasted when the ball missed the bat entirely. Shortly afterwards, a clear edge off Atal to Litton Das was turned down, and Shanto chose against a review, even though replays showed a spike.

Bangladesh will feel they let a bigger total slip, having been 221 for two on day one before losing eight wickets for 125 runs. Nayeem Hasan’s unbeaten 35, a career best, and four wickets for Mohammad Salim shaped that finish.