Rahmat Shah marked his first Test as Afghanistan’s new captain with an unbeaten 105 against Bangladesh at Sheikh Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi, on Sunday 11 October. Bangladesh were 211/3 after 65 overs in their second innings at the latest confirmed update, leading by 317 runs in the only Afghanistan vs Bangladesh Test.

Rahmat Shah made the reply count

Bangladesh’s 346 in the first innings gave Afghanistan a demanding start, but Rahmat Shah supplied the resistance his side needed. He finished Afghanistan’s reply on 105 not out from 216 balls, with 10 fours and two sixes, as the hosts reached 240 all out in 89.1 overs. That left Bangladesh 106 runs ahead before their second innings began.

The hundred mattered beyond the number. Rahmat is Afghanistan’s fourth Test captain, following Asghar Afghan, Rashid Khan and Hashmatullah Shahidi, and the role came with a fragile batting order around him. Abdul Malik’s 62 helped him repair the innings, while Ikram Alikhil’s 32 extended the fifth-wicket stand. Rahmat stayed at the crease through the collapse and gave Afghanistan a platform, even though Bangladesh regained control before the close.

Hasan Mahmud changed the morning

Hasan Mahmud finished with 5/55, including a hat-trick, and Ebadot Hossain added 4/56. Their pace partnership removed Afghanistan’s last six wickets for a relatively small addition after Rahmat had passed three figures. Mahmud’s hat-trick came from the 82nd over, when Ismat Alam, Qais Ahmad and Zia-ur-Rehman fell in successive deliveries. He then claimed Yamin Ahmadzai to complete his five-wicket haul.

That burst explains the shape of the AFG vs BAN scorecard. Afghanistan had been 219/5 when Alikhil departed, but they were bowled out for 240. Rahmat’s unbeaten score therefore carried both the personal milestone and the frustration of a missed chance to take a first-innings lead.

A red ball in front of the stumps on a dry, cracked pitch marked by a fast bowler's footholds.

BAN vs AFG Test latest score: Bangladesh build again

Bangladesh began their second innings with a 106-run advantage and lost three wickets, but Najmul Hossain Shanto and Mushfiqur Rahim settled the innings. The latest confirmed live update, recorded at 17:01 local time on day three, had Bangladesh on 211/3 after 65 overs. Shanto was unbeaten on 76 and Mushfiqur Rahim on 81, with their unbroken partnership at 158.

That is the immediate state for readers checking the live scores or the wider cricket hub. Bangladesh have already moved 317 runs ahead, while Afghanistan must find a way to take wickets quickly when play resumes. The second innings has also given Mushfiqur a chance to respond after he was dismissed for a duck in Bangladesh’s first innings; Najmul Hossain Shanto has provided the other anchor at the crease.

A significant Test in the UAE

The match runs from 9 to 13 October and is Bangladesh’s first Test at a neutral venue and first in the UAE. Afghanistan are the designated home side, but Abu Dhabi offers neither team a familiar home setting. The slow surface mentioned in the preview has rewarded patience, while the heat has made long spells and long innings physically demanding.

The fixture is also part of a larger UAE programme. Afghanistan and Bangladesh began with this one-off Test, then Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Zimbabwe are scheduled to play a four-match ODI tri-series, including the final. Afghanistan will then play Zimbabwe in three T20Is and two Tests. For Afghanistan, Rahmat’s century is a useful red-ball statement even with Bangladesh holding the stronger position after day three.

The latest confirmed state remains Bangladesh 211/3 after 65 overs, leading Afghanistan by 317 runs, with two days still scheduled in the five-day match. No result has been confirmed at the time of writing on Sunday evening IST.

Sources: ESPNcricinfo: Mushfiqur takes charge as Bangladesh's lead crosses 200 · ESPNcricinfo: Afghanistan look to tick boxes in rare Test outing · ESPNcricinfo: Afghanistan v Bangladesh 2026/27 schedule and results · ICC: Afghanistan announce multi-format series against Bangladesh and Zimbabwe

This piece was written by the FairPlay Editorial Desk with AI assistance, using the published sources above. It was reviewed by Ajit Mohan Yadav and Rahul Jethalal of the FairPlay editorial team before publication. To report an error, see our Editorial Policy.