Hasan Mahmud takes Test hat-trick as Bangladesh lead Afghanistan

Bangladesh fast bowler Hasan Mahmud took a hat-trick on Sunday, October 11, to put his team in command of the one-off Test against Afghanistan at Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi. The 26-year-old finished with figures of 5-55, dismissing Afghanistan for 240 in their first innings.

Historic Hat-trick

Mahmud became the first fast bowler from Bangladesh to take a hat-trick in Test cricket. He achieved the feat in the 83rd over by dismissing Ismat Alam, Qais Ahmad, and Zia-ur-Rehman in consecutive deliveries. He is only the third Bangladesh bowler to take a Test hat-trick, following Alok Kapali in 2003 and Sohag Gazi in 2013.

The hat-trick sequence began when Mahmud bowled Ismat Alam with a delivery that passed beneath the bat. He then induced an outside edge from Qais Ahmad, which was caught by wicketkeeper Litton Das. The third dismissal required a review; the on-field umpire initially rejected the leg-before-wicket appeal against Zia-ur-Rehman, but ball-tracking confirmed the delivery would have hit the stumps, overturning the decision.

"I am delighted to take a hat-trick and more than that it’s good to help the team get a strong position from where we can force a victory," Mahmud said.

Match Situation

Afghanistan captain Rahmat Shah scored 105 not out, including 10 fours and two sixes, but lacked sufficient support to match Bangladesh’s first-innings total of 346. Mahmud’s pace partner, Ebadot Hossain, finished with 4-56.

In response, Bangladesh consolidated their position on day three. Skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto scored 82, and veteran batter Mushfiqur Rahim scored 81, sharing a 159-run stand for the fourth wicket. At the close of play, Bangladesh were 223-6, holding a lead of 329 runs with four wickets remaining. Litton Das was unbeaten on five, and Mehidy Hasan Miraz had not yet scored.

Why it matters

This performance marks a significant milestone for Bangladesh cricket, as Mahmud is the first pacer from the country to achieve a Test hat-trick. The result places Bangladesh in a strong position to win the one-off Test, building on their recent upset victory against Australia in Darwin in August. Afghanistan's bowlers Yamin Ahmadzai (2-42) and Zia-ur-Rehman (2-55) shared the bowling honors in Bangladesh's second innings.

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Sources

• sportstar.thehindu.com: AFG vs BAN: Hasan's hat-trick puts Bangladesh in command of Afghanistan Test - Sportstar
• indiatoday.in: AFG vs BAN: Hasan Mahmud becomes first-ever Bangladesh pacer to take a Test hat-trick - India Today
• en.prothomalo.com: Hasan Mahmud becomes first Bangladesh pacer to record Test hat-trick | Prothom Alo
• en.bonikbarta.com: Hasan ends 13-year wait for Bangladesh’s third Test hat-trick | Bonikbarta
• thedailystar.net: Hasan Mahmud Test Hat-trick Against Afghanistan | Hasan becomes first Bangladesh pacer to claim Test hattrick | The Daily Star

This article was drafted with AI assistance and checked against the sources above. Company claims are reported as claims. Cover image is AI-generated.