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ABU DHABI: Liton Das struck a sublime century as Bangladesh declared their second innings at 372-7, setting Afghanistan a mammoth target of 479 runs to win the one-off Test at Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi on Monday.
No team in Test history has successfully chased a target of more than 418 runs.
Liton scored 102 off 117 balls, hitting 14 boundaries to play a pivotal role in giving Bangladesh a commanding position. Mehidy Hasan Miraz provided excellent support with an unbeaten 52 as the pair added 149 runs for the seventh wicket.
Bangladesh resumed the fourth day at 223-6 and lost Liton during the day’s play before declaring their innings at the stroke of tea.
Earlier, on the third day, captain Najmul Hossain Shanto scored 82, while veteran batter Mushfiqur Rahim made 81 to lay the foundation for Bangladesh’s strong position.
Afghanistan reached 68-2 in 24 overs by the time this report was filed, still requiring 411 runs to win.
Ebadot Hossain and Hasan Mahmud took a wicket each to reduce Afghanistan to 28-2 before opener Sediqullah Atal and captain Rahmat Shah steadied the innings. Rahmat, who scored an unbeaten 105 in the first innings, was batting on 26, while Atal was on 15.
Bangladesh had been bowled out for 346 in their first innings before a superb bowling performance, highlighted by Hasan Mahmud’s hat-trick, saw Afghanistan dismissed for 240. The hosts thus secured a substantial 106-run first-innings lead.