Lucky Litton ton leaves Tigers on victory brink

Afghanistan need to pull off a world-record chase of 479 runs in the fourth innings of a Test to win. To save the match, they must bat out the entire fifth day. At the end of the fourth day of the Abu Dhabi Test, Afghanistan were 132-3, needing another 347 runs for victory. Bangladesh, meanwhile, need seven wickets.

The fourth day belonged to Bangladesh. Powered by Litton Das and Mehidy Hasan Miraz, they declared their second innings on 372, setting Afghanistan a daunting target. The pair added 149 runs for the fourth wicket, with Litton scoring his seventh Test century and Miraz registering his 11th Test half-century.

However, luck played its part in Litton’s century. The Bangladesh wicketkeeper-batter survived three potential dismissals and made the most of those reprieves to score 102 off 117 balls.

Litton had struggled since scoring 126 against Pakistan in Sylhet last May. He came under criticism after being dismissed for ducks in all three innings during Bangladesh’s Australia tour. His first-innings 52 in Abu Dhabi had hinted at a return to confidence, and the second-innings century strengthened that belief.

The right-hander was unbeaten on five at the end of the second day. Early on the third day, he survived a catch at slip off Afghanistan leg-spinner Qais Ahmad when he was on 14. He received another life on 26, when Qais failed to hold a return catch because of the pace of the ball.

Litton could also have been dismissed on 67. He edged Afghanistan pacer Yamin Ahmadzai on to the wicketkeeper’s gloves, but Afghanistan failed to review in time. The replay later confirmed that the ball had touched the bat.

Making the most of his reprieves, the 31-year-old continued to bat positively. He reached his century off 115 balls with a boundary through third man off Qais. It was his sixth Test century as a wicketkeeper, putting him alongside former India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni, who also scored six Test centuries in that role.

Litton’s stay ended soon after reaching three figures. Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto was preparing to declare, and Litton appeared to sense it. He attempted to pull a short ball from Mohammad Saleem, but instead of clearing the boundary, the ball went to deep square leg, where he was caught. He made 102 off 117 balls, striking 14 boundaries at a strike rate of 87.17.

After Bangladesh declared, Afghanistan tried to fight back. Bangladesh spin-bowling coach Mushtaq Ahmed had predicted that the Abu Dhabi pitch would begin to turn from the third day, but the spinners again found little assistance on the fourth. Miraz, Taijul Islam and Nayeem Hasan struggled to trouble the Afghan batters.

Instead, fast bowlers Ebadot Hossain and Hasan Mahmud once again proved effective. Afghanistan lost two wickets for 28 runs early in their chase before Rahmat Shah and Sediqullah Atal resisted with a third-wicket stand. Their partnership added 82 runs off 214 balls, delaying Bangladesh’s progress towards victory.

Afghanistan captain Rahmat, who scored a century in the first innings, also reached a half-century in the second. He made 51 before Ebadot’s extra bounce forced a catch behind the stumps, bringing relief to the Bangladesh camp.

Afghans ended the day on 132-3. Bangladesh’s task on the final day is clear: take the remaining seven wickets to seal victory.