Hasan becomes first Bangladeshi pacer to take a hat-trick in Test cricket
Hasan Mahmud became the first Bangladeshi pacer to take a Test hat-trick on day three against Afghanistan in Abu Dhabi, triggering a collapse that saw the hosts lose four wickets for nine runs and slump to 220/8 in their first innings.
Zia-ur-Rehman was trapped on the crease by a back-of-a-length ball that nipped in, but the umpire rejected the lbw appeal. Captain Najmul Hossain Shanto reviewed after a brief huddle, and replays showed the ball hitting off stump, completing the feat and a golden duck.
Hasan is the third Bangladeshi bowler to take a Test hat-trick and the first pacer, after Alok Kapali against Pakistan in 2003 and Sohag Gazi against New Zealand a decade later. No bowler from any nation had previously done it in the UAE.
Hasan later had Yamin Ahmadzai caught behind by Litton Das for his fifth wicket of the innings, which was also his 50th in Test cricket. That made him the fastest Bangladeshi pacer to reach the mark, moving ahead of Taskin Ahmed.
It was his fourth Test five-for, joint-most by a Bangladeshi pacer with Shahadat Hossain, and his fourth overseas, placing him joint third among Bangladesh bowlers with Mehidy Hasan Miraz, behind Taijul Islam with six and Shakib Al Hasan with five.
The previous ball produced a stunning catch. Qais Ahmad could only edge a back-of-a-length delivery that moved away, and wicketkeeper Litton Das, diving full stretch to his right, clutched it one-handed inches above the turf, setting up the hat-trick chance.
Hasan began his burst with a ball that kept low and nipped in. Ismat Alam, who had faced four balls for one run, could not react in time, and the ball slipped under the toe-end of his bat into off stump.
The breakthrough came from Ebadot Hossain. His delivery swung sharply back in from the channel, squeezed through the gap between Ikram Alikhil’s bat and pad and hit the stumps. It was Ebadot’s third wicket and ended the partnership with Rahmat Shah.
Bangladesh took the second new ball at the start of play, hoping Hasan and Ebadot could use it to separate Rahmat Shah and Ikram Alikhil. Within three overs it had brought four wickets, and Afghanistan, 211/4 overnight, were suddenly 220/8.
Afghanistan had closed day two, 135 runs behind, with Rahmat Shah unbeaten on 84 and Ikram Alikhil on 24 after an unbroken 72-run stand off 194 balls. Bangladesh had struck twice within five balls but waited long for another breakthrough.