After Qazaghan had taken control of the Chagatai ulus in around 1346, he appointed Abdullah as governor of Samarkand. During his father's lifetime, Abdullah led an expedition against Khwarazm, although Qazaghan had been against it.
Qazaghan's conquest of the Chagatai khanate around 1346 led to Abdullah being appointed governor of Samarkand. Meanwhile, during his father's reign, Abdullah undertook a military expedition against Khwarazm, despite Qazaghan's disapproval.