Bangladesh aim for Shanto’s tenth Test win in Abu Dhabi heat

What happened

Bangladesh play Afghanistan in a one-off Test at Sheikh Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi, from 9 October on a slow, spin-friendly pitch.

Why it matters

Rahmat Shah takes over as Afghanistan's fourth Test captain, and Bangladesh need the result before WTC series against the West Indies and South Africa.

Remember this

One Test, nearly forty-degree heat, and Shanto's tenth win on the line.

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More context & who is affected

Bangladesh open their Test tour at Sheikh Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi, on 9 October, chasing a tenth win under Najmul Hossain Shanto. It is their first Test at a neutral venue.

Afghanistan come in off a heavy loss to India, head coach Richard Pybus calling the side "incredibly rusty". Rahmat Shah becomes the country's fourth Test captain.

Outside the WTC cycle, Bangladesh need a result before West Indies and South Africa series. The two sides have split two Tests: Afghanistan by 224 runs, Bangladesh by 546.

Venue: Sheikh Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi Bangladesh's first Test at a neutral venue and their first in the UAE.ESPNcricinfo
Pitch and heat: Slow, spin-friendly Daytime temperatures could reach nearly 40 degrees across the five days.ESPNcricinfo The Business Standard
Head-to-head in Tests: 1-1 Afghanistan won by 224 runs in Chattogram in 2019; Bangladesh won by 546 runs in Mirpur in 2023.The Business Standard

Before the toss

Rahmat Shah becomes Afghanistan's fourth Test captain and the only Afghan batter with 1000 Test runs and three centuries, while Bangladesh bank on spin-friendly conditions.