Bangladesh and Afghanistan witnessed a dramatic shift in momentum on the opening day of their lone Test match at the Zayed Cricket Stadium in Abu Dhabi. Following a solid start by the Bangladeshi openers, Afghanistan’s bowlers regrouped to put pressure on the middle order, with Yamin Ahmadzai delivering one of the day’s finest balls to outclass veteran batsman Mushfiqur Rahim.
Bangladesh elected to bat first after winning the toss, aiming to exploit the conditions on the dry surface before it began favoring the spinners. Afghanistan answered resolutely after the interval, with Ahmadzai leading the charge during a pivotal collapse of the middle order.
Yamin Ahmadzai’s Signature Yorker Outclasses Mushfiqur Rahim
The wicket fell on the final delivery of the 50th over. Ahmadzai bowled a pinpoint yorker that late-swerved away before crashing into the off stump. Rahim, who had faced seven balls without scoring, could not get his bat down in time as the Afghan pacer celebrated a crucial breakthrough.
Ahmadzai had earlier dismissed Mominul Haque for 39 and continued to ruffle the Bangladeshi batters with his accuracy and movement. Rahim’s dismissal capped an outstanding spell in which Afghanistan seized control after enduring early pressure.
Watch the dismissal
A Yamin Ahmadzai Special!
“Getting the reward for some lovely stuff, Yamin Ahmadzai!” #AfghanAtalan | #AFGvBD | #GloriousNationVictoriousTeam pic.twitter.com/v6w2mJlQIr
— Afghanistan Cricket Board (@ACBofficials) October 9, 2026
Afghanistan Rally After Bangladesh’s Solid Start
Bangladesh looked firmly in command early on, with Tanzid Hasan Tamim smashing 83 off 71 balls and Shadman Islam contributing 67 from 111 deliveries. Their 124-run opening stand set a strong platform before Ismat Alam dismissed Tanzid and Mohammad Saleem removed Shadman. Ahmadzai then claimed two middle-order wickets, while Qais Ahmad dismissed captain Najmul Hossain Shanto for 29.
Bangladesh lost five wickets for 101 runs following their strong start, allowing Afghanistan to re-enter the contest. Litton Das and Mehidy Hasan Miraz steadied the innings with an unbeaten partnership, taking Bangladesh to 283/5 after 68.3 overs. Ahmadzai remained Afghanistan’s leading wicket-taker at that stage with figures of 2/52, playing a key role in the fightback.