AFG vs BAN: Hasan Mahmud became the first Bangladeshi pacer to take a Test hat-trick

Bangladesh fast bowler Hasan Mahmud made history on Sunday, October 11, by becoming the first pacer from the country to take a hat-trick in Test cricket. The 26-year-old achieved the feat on Day 3 of the one-off Test against Afghanistan in Abu Dhabi, dismissing three batters in consecutive deliveries during the hosts’ first innings.

Mahmud struck in the 83rd over, bowling Ismat Alam with a delivery that beat his defense and hit the stumps. He dismissed Qais Ahmad off the next ball, keeper Litton Das caught low behind the stumps.

Zia-ur-Rehman was next to fall as Mahmud completed his hat-trick. The pacer hit him in the pads and appealed for a leg in front of goal, but the on-field referee overturned the decision. Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto called for a review and ball tracking showed that the delivery would have hit the stumps. The decision was overturned, completing Mahmud’s hat-trick.

Mahmud became only the third Bangladeshi bowler to take a hat-trick in Test cricket. Alok Kapali was the first, against Pakistan in Peshawar in 2003, while Sohag Gazi claimed one against New Zealand in Chittagong in 2013. Both were wickets, making Mahmud the first Bangladeshi fast bowler to do so.

HASAN MAHMUD CLAIMS FIVE WICKETS

Mahmud finished with figures of five for 55 in 21 overs as Afghanistan were bowled out for 240. Bangladesh scored 346 in their first innings and took a 106-run lead.

Afghanistan resumed on Day 3 at 211 for four, looking to extend their total. Mahmud’s blast in the 83rd over left the hosts struggling at the bottom of the batting order and unable to recover.

The five-wicket haul added to Mahmud’s record for the longest format. He made his Test debut in 2024 and has been part of Bangladesh’s pace attack ever since.

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