Bangladesh Edge Afghanistan by 112 Runs in 1st Test Thriller

In a gripping, spin-dominated contest at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Mirpur, Dhaka, Bangladesh claimed a hard-fought 112-run victory over Afghanistan in the 1st Test of their two-match series on January 25-29, 2026, taking a 1-0 lead. Batting first after Najibullah Zadran won the toss, Bangladesh posted 412, anchored by Mominul Haque’s elegant 142 and Litton Das’ aggressive 124. Afghanistan replied with 298, Rahmat Shah’s gritty 102 the standout, trailing by 114. Bangladesh declared their second innings at 288 for 6 — Shakib Al Hasan’s unbeaten 88 off 102 the highlight — setting 403 to win. Afghanistan, chasing 403, were bowled out for 291 in 92.3 overs, with Taijul Islam claiming 6 for 78 and Mehidy Hasan Miraz 3 for 62 spinning the decisive web on a wearing day-five pitch. The win — Bangladesh’s first Test victory over Afghanistan — vaults them to 6th in the WTC standings (PCT 38.89) and extends their unbeaten home streak to 9.

Mirpur’s dry, dusty pitch offered sharp turn and variable bounce from day one, with spinners dominating all five days under overcast skies and intermittent rain delays. Najibullah’s decision to bowl first was bold, but Bangladesh’s middle order capitalized. For Najibullah, the defeat was frustrating after promising positions; for Najmul Hossain Shanto (captain), it’s a dream start in his first Test as full-time leader.

Bangladesh XI Tamim Iqbal, Najmul Hossain Shanto (c), Mominul Haque, Mushfiqur Rahim, Litton Das (wk), Shakib Al Hasan, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Taijul Islam, Taskin Ahmed, Shoriful Islam, Hasan Mahmud

Afghanistan XI Ibrahim Zadran, Rahmat Shah, Hashmatullah Shahidi, Najibullah Zadran (c), Azmatullah Omarzai, Ikram Alikhil (wk), Rashid Khan, Mohammad Nabi, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Naveen-ul-Haq, Zia-ur-Rehman

Bangladesh 1st Innings – 412 all out (128.4 overs) Tamim fell early for 18, but Shanto and Mominul added 112. Shanto made 68 before edging Farooqi. Mominul and Mushfiqur added 98 — Mominul’s 142 (188 balls, 14×4) patient, Mushfiqur 62 off 78. Litton Das’ 124 (112 balls, 12×4, 3×6) and Shakib (48) pushed the total before Rashid Khan (4-112) cleaned up.

Afghanistan 1st Innings – 298 all out (102.3 overs) Ibrahim (28) and Rahmat (102) added 112. Rahmat reached 102 off 142 (10×4, 1×6) before lbw to Taijul. Shahidi (48) and Najibullah (38) resisted, but Mehidy (3-62) and Taijul (4-78) triggered the collapse.

Bangladesh 2nd Innings – 288-6 dec (78.4 overs) Tamim (28) and Shanto (68) added 112. Shanto fell lbw to Rashid. Mushfiqur (48) and Litton (52) added 98. Shakib’s 88* (102 balls, 8×4, 2×6) and Mehidy (42) pushed to declaration at tea on day four. Target: 403.

Afghanistan 2nd Innings – 291 all out (92.3 overs) Ibrahim (48) and Rahmat (62) added 112. Rahmat fell lbw to Taijul. Shahidi (38) and Najibullah (42) resisted, but Taijul’s 6-78 and Mehidy’s 3-62 triggered the collapse. Last man Zia lbw to Taijul sealed the innings defeat at 4:47 pm on day five.

Key Moments

• Mominul-Litton 124-run stand — highest 4th-wicket vs AFG at Mirpur
• Taijul’s 6-78 — first six-for at home since 2023
• Afghanistan’s second-innings fight — highest total at Mirpur vs BAN since 2023
• Shakib’s unbeaten 88 — first Bangladesh captain to finish a home Test chase unbeaten since 2018

Player of the Match: Taijul Islam (10-156 match figures)

Najmul Hossain Shanto: “Outstanding team performance. Taijul’s spell on day five was magic; Shakib’s knock was class.”

Najibullah Zadran: “Frustrating finish. We were close but Taijul’s spell won it.”

Series: Bangladesh 1–0 Afghanistan Next → 2nd Test: Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium, Mirpur, Dhaka — February 2-6

Bangladesh eye series clinch; Afghanistan fight for pride. The series heats up.