Shanto rues missed chances in Abu Dhabi draw
Bangladesh captain Shanto said missed chances in the field cost his side victory in the drawn Test against Afghanistan.
Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto said his side drew the one-off Test against Afghanistan in Abu Dhabi because of small mistakes in the field. Afghanistan batted for 142 overs to secure the draw at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium after Sediqullah Atal scored 111 and Rahmat Shah made 105 and 51. Shanto noted that Bangladesh had opportunities to take all ten wickets but could not close the game.
Qais Ahmed remained unbeaten on 49 and hit two sixes in the final over to help Afghanistan reach safety. With ten minutes left, he went down holding his left hamstring after blocking a delivery from Taijul Islam, an incident that drew comparisons to Gulbadin Naib's injury moment during the 2024 T20 World Cup. Bangladesh players appeared pleased with the situation at the time.
The draw ended a closely contested match in which both sides had periods of dominance. Shanto said the result reflected the fine margins that decided key sessions.
CricHubb Take
The draw keeps Bangladesh's series ambitions alive but highlights their inability to convert pressure into wickets on flat pitches.