‘This draw is equal to a win’ – Rahmat Shah on Afghanistan’s Test resilience

Afghanistan held Bangladesh to a draw in their only Test at Zayed Cricket Stadium, Abu Dhabi, from October 9 to 13, 2026. Chasing 479 runs set by Bangladesh, Afghanistan batted for 142 overs across two innings to secure the result. The visitors finished their second innings on 346 for 8, with the final day proving decisive as they spent 92 overs at the crease to deny Bangladesh victory.

Afghanistan Test captain Rahmat Shah reflected on the team’s performance after the match concluded. He expressed satisfaction with how his squad executed their pre-planned approach throughout the Test.

“This draw is equal to a win, actually. Great effort by our boys. If you look at it, we had planned beforehand. Whether it was in the bowling department or the batting department, we went according to that plan. If runs were needed, we scored runs, and if we needed to spend time, we spent time. That is why our result went towards a draw,” said Shah as quoted by Cricbuzz.

How Afghanistan’s planning secured the draw?

Shah elaborated on how Afghanistan’s planning across both departments shaped the outcome. The captain emphasised that his team’s flexibility in approach, whether scoring runs when required or spending time at the crease, proved instrumental in achieving the draw.

“Great effort by our boys. If you look at it, we had planned beforehand. Whether it was in the bowling department or the batting department, we went according to that plan. If runs were needed, we scored runs, and if we needed to spend time, we spent time. That is why our result went towards a draw,” Shah said.

Afghanistan’s first innings had been undermined by Bangladesh’s bowling attack, with the visitors bundled out for 240. Hasan Mahmud took a hat-trick while Ebadot Hossain claimed four wickets. However, Shah’s own resilient 105 in that innings provided a foundation for the team’s comeback.

Sediqullah Atal’s maiden century and the final day strategy

Sediqullah Atal played a crucial role in Afghanistan’s second-innings resistance with a marathon century. The batter scored 111 off 332 balls, striking nine fours and three sixes to register his maiden Test century. Shah highlighted Atal’s contribution as a key factor in achieving the draw, noting how the young batter adapted after coming fresh from T20 cricket.

“Sediqullah came fresh from T20s, and the way he maintained his temperament here, fulfilling the team’s requirements and executing it, that is why this result was achieved,” Shah said.

In the second innings, multiple batters contributed to the draw. Shah noted the collective effort across the batting lineup, with two centuries scored in the match and several half-centuries and vital partnerships built throughout the Test.

“As a team, I was delighted that two players scored centuries in the match and others contributed with half-centuries and vital partnerships. The tail batted well and sensibly today,” Shah said.

The final day strategy proved decisive in securing the result. Afghanistan’s batters adopted a patient approach, focusing on occupying the crease rather than aggressive scoring. Shah outlined how his team managed the pressure of Bangladesh’s bowling attack by playing in manageable phases.

“The plan today was to bat for long periods and be patient. Not to be bothered if they bowled dot balls or maidens. To play in small periods of time that were manageable and would get us to our goal of batting all day,” Shah said.

Qais Ahmad played an unbeaten 49 in the second innings and sealed the result with a six off the last ball of the Test match. Bangladesh’s Litton Das was named Player of the Match for his performance across both innings.