Afghanistan vs Bangladesh Test: 347 needed after Litton's 102

Afghanistan closed day four on 132 for 3, still 347 runs short of the 479 they need in the one-off Afghanistan vs Bangladesh Test in Abu Dhabi. Litton Das made 102, his seventh Test century, before Bangladesh declared on 372 for 7. Sediqullah Atal was 35 not out at the close. Hashmatullah Shahidi was unbeaten on 19.

• Bangladesh 346 and 372 for 7 declared
• Afghanistan 240 and 132 for 3
• Afghanistan need 347 more on the final day

Litton and Mehidy break the morning open

Bangladesh resumed on 223 for 6 with Litton five not out. He and Mehidy Hasan Miraz batted through the first session. Crickettimes put their first-session stand at 114 without a wicket. Mehidy finished 52 not out. Mohammad Saleem eventually had Litton caught by Ikram Alikhil, according to bdnews24, which reported the seventh-wicket partnership as 149.

The innings had looked very different on Sunday. Bangladesh were 53 for 3. Najmul Hossain Shanto made 82 and Mushfiqur Rahim 81 to steady it, and the declaration followed once the lead passed 470.

AFP reported that Mohammad Saleem, Zia-ur-Rehman and Yamin Ahmadzai took two wickets each in the innings. Bangladesh had led by 106 on first innings. Hasan Mahmud took five for 55 there, including a hat-trick, which the Dhaka Tribune noted was the first by a Bangladesh fast bowler in Tests.

A target beyond the Test record

No side has won a Test chasing more than 418. West Indies made that against Australia at St John's in 2003. Afghanistan need 61 more than the record, with seven wickets and one day left. The alternatives are a Bangladesh win or a draw. Bangladesh have seven wickets to take and a full day to take them.

Rahmat falls for 51 in the evening

Rahmat Shah, who made a century in Afghanistan's first innings, was caught behind off Ebadot Hossain for 51. Tob.news reported he faced 124 balls. Ebadot also removed the opener Abdul Malik for 2. Shahidullah Kamal made 19 before Hasan Mahmud had him caught behind. Ebadot had taken four wickets in the first innings as well.

Atal and Shahidi then saw out the evening. Afghanistan use Abu Dhabi as a home venue, so the final day is a home crowd watching a chase nobody has completed.

Litton's eight dismissals set a Bangladesh mark

AFP reported that Litton's eight dismissals behind the stumps in this match are a Bangladesh Test record. The previous best was seven, by Khaled Mashud against Zimbabwe in February 2004. bdnews24 reported that Litton also made 53 in the first innings. He has kept wicket throughout. Play resumes on Tuesday.