Bangladesh and Afghanistan witnessed a dramatic turnaround on the opening day of their Test match at the Zayed Cricket Stadium in Abu Dhabi. After Bangladesh’s openers gave their side a strong start, Afghanistan’s bowlers struck back to put pressure on the middle order, with Yamin Ahmadzai producing one of the standout deliveries of the day to dismiss veteran batter Mushfiqur Rahim.
Bangladesh won the toss and elected to bat first on a dry surface, hoping to make the most of the conditions before the pitch began to assist the spinners. However, Afghanistan responded strongly after lunch, with Ahmadzai leading the charge during a crucial middle-order collapse.
The dismissal came off the final delivery of the 50th over, when Ahmadzai delivered a pinpoint yorker that curved away late and crashed into the off stump. Rahim, who had faced seven deliveries without scoring, was unable to bring his bat down in time as the Afghanistan pacer celebrated a crucial breakthrough.
Ahmadzai had already removed Mominul Haque for 39 and continued to trouble Bangladesh’s batters with his accuracy and movement. The wicket of Rahim capped an excellent spell during which Afghanistan took control after being put under pressure early in the innings.
A Yamin Ahmadzai Special! 👏
“Getting the reward for some lovely stuff, Yamin Ahmadzai!” 🤩#AfghanAtalan | #AFGvBD | #GloriousNationVictoriousTeam pic.twitter.com/v6w2mJlQIr
— Afghanistan Cricket Board (@ACBofficials) October 9, 2026
Also READ: Team India stars spotted watching Drishyam 3 ahead of second T20I against West Indies in Ranchi
Bangladesh looked firmly in control early on, with Tanzid Hasan Tamim smashing 83 off 71 balls and Shadman Islam contributing 67 from 111 deliveries. Their 124-run opening stand gave the hosts an excellent platform before Ismat Alam dismissed Tanzid and Mohammad Saleem removed Shadman. Ahmadzai then struck twice in the middle order, while Qais Ahmad dismissed captain Najmul Hossain Shanto for 29.
Bangladesh lost five wickets for 101 runs after their strong start, allowing Afghanistan to get back into the contest. Litton Das and Mehidy Hasan Miraz steadied the innings with an unbeaten partnership, taking Bangladesh to 283/5 after 68.3 overs. Ahmadzai remained Afghanistan’s leading wicket-taker at that stage with figures of 2/52, having played a key role in his side’s fightback.
Also READ: Mark Chapman and Zak Foulkes ruled out of India T20Is as New Zealand name replacements
For the first time in a long time, we won't be seeing Lionel Messi and…
Sunday's Green Bay Packers-New England Patriots game will not only serve as a homecoming for…
Almost 11 years after her last cross-country race outside Scotland, the two-time European 1500m champion…
The St. Louis Cardinals have promoted 34-year-old Rob Cerfolio to general manager.The Cardinals announced the…
Johnny Fisher is flirting with disaster by targeting Kristian Prenga for his planned late-February return.…
The first six overs can set the tone for an entire innings, turning a cautious…