Litton and Miraz Extend Bangladesh Lead to 443 Runs

Bangladesh strengthened their position in the one-off Test against Afghanistan in Abu Dhabi on Monday, reaching 337 for six at lunch on the fourth day and extending their overall lead to 443 runs. Litton Das and Mehidy Hasan Miraz remained unbeaten in a seventh-wicket partnership worth 114 runs, frustrating Afghanistan's bowlers throughout the morning session. According to The Daily Star, Bangladesh resumed the day at 223 for six and scored 114 runs without losing a wicket before lunch.

Litton advanced to 81 not out from 96 deliveries, hitting 11 boundaries, while Miraz reached 38 not out from 74 balls, including four boundaries. The pair needed 72 balls to add their first 50 runs together and completed a century partnership in 135 deliveries. Their stand took Bangladesh beyond both 300 and 330 runs without another dismissal, leaving Afghanistan facing a substantial fourth-innings challenge if the visitors declared at a later stage.

Litton benefited from several missed opportunities as Afghanistan failed to end the partnership. He was on 16 when Shahidullah Kamal dropped a difficult slip chance off Qais Ahmad, according to The Daily Star. Three overs later, Qais could not hold a firm return drive from the Bangladesh batter.

Yamin Ahmadzai also came close to dismissing Litton in the 92nd over, beating the batter's inside edge. The appeal for a catch behind was rejected, although Ultra-edge subsequently showed a faint deflection. Litton made the most of those reprieves, reaching his half-century from 63 balls and becoming increasingly aggressive as the session progressed. He drove Yamin straight down the ground for a boundary, swept Zia-ur-Rehman for four and added further runs through well-timed cuts, as reported by The Daily Star.

Miraz provided stability at the other end, rotating the strike and preventing Afghanistan from maintaining pressure. His measured approach complemented Litton's attacking strokeplay and helped Bangladesh preserve all six wickets that remained at the start of the day's play. Bangladesh's strong second-innings position had also been shaped by Najmul Hossain Shanto and Mushfiqur Rahim, who scored 82 and 81, respectively. Their contributions helped the team recover after the top order slipped to 53 for three, according to The Daily Star.