Rahmat Shah Unbeaten 84 Keeps Afghanistan Steady on Day 2

ABU DHABI: Afghanistan mounted a calculated response on Day 2 of the one-off Test match at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium, putting together a resilient batting display to finish the day at 211 for 4 after bundling Bangladesh out for 346 early in the morning session. 

Led by an unbeaten half-century from captain Rahmat Shah, the home side fought through testing periods against a disciplined Bangladeshi bowling attack to trail by 135 runs at the close of play.

The Day 2 began with Bangladesh resuming their first innings at an overnight score of 317 for 8 on Day 1. The Afghan pace battery wasted little time, needing just 8.2 overs to clear the visitors' remaining tail. Mohammad Saleem led the way, capturing the crucial scalp of Taijul Islam to finish with impressive figures of 4 for 82. Shortly after, Yamin Ahmadzai cleaned up Ebadot Hossain to cap off the innings at 346 all out, finishing with 3 for 79.

Faced with a formidable total on an Abu Dhabi pitch beginning to show signs of variable bounce, Afghanistan’s openers navigated an eventful start in the BAN vs AFG one-off test Day 2 proceedings. Sediqullah Atal and Abdul Malik displayed immense discipline, though the opening stand was broken when Hasan Mahmud trapped Atal for 17 just before the lunch interval.

The post-lunch period saw Afghanistan up the ante while maintaining solid technical defensive shells. Shahidullah (20) fell after top-edging a hook against Ebadot Hossain, which brought skipper Rahmat Shah to the crease. Alongside Abdul Malik, Shah compiled a stabilizing partner platform. Malik batted beautifully to notch his maiden Test half-century, striking a massive six off Taijul Islam before eventually departing for a well-made 62.

Bangladesh's spinners and quicks toiled under the blistering sun but found the surface slowing down. When Malik and standard middle-order options fell, Rahmat Shah anchored the innings perfectly, striking an elegant 84 not out to cross his own half-century milestone. 

Alongside wicketkeeper-batsman Ikram Alikhil, who remained unbeaten on 26, Shah guided Afghanistan safely through the final session. Their unbroken fifth-wicket partnership absorbed all pressure and ensured no late-day collapses marred the hosts' hard work.

At stumps, the BAN vs AFG one-off Test match hangs perfectly in the balance. With Afghanistan well-placed at 211 for 4, moving into Day 3 will require a clinical morning session from the Bangladeshi bowlers if they want to stop Afghanistan from closing the 135-run gap and taking a decisive first-innings lead.