Hasan Mahmud became the first Bangladeshi fast bowler to take a hat-trick in Test cricket after claiming three wickets in three consecutive deliveries against Afghanistan on the third day of the one-off Test in Abu Dhabi on Sunday.
The right-arm pacer achieved the historic feat in the 83rd over of Afghanistan’s first innings, removing Ismat Alam, Qais Ahmad and Zia-ur-Rehman with the third, fourth and fifth deliveries of the over.
Hasan began his hat-trick by bowling Ismat Alam for a duck on the third delivery. The ball stayed slightly low after pitching on a good length and moved into the batter. Ismat failed to bring his bat down in time as the ball went underneath it and struck the off stump.
The next delivery produced a brilliant catch from wicketkeeper Litton Das.
Qais Ahmad edged a delivery that moved away from him. Litton dived to his right and stretched out his glove to complete a stunning catch just above the ground.
With two wickets in two balls, Hasan had the chance to make history.
He completed the hat-trick on the fifth delivery by trapping Zia-ur-Rehman lbw for a duck.
The ball pitched on a good length and moved sharply back into the batter, who failed to make contact.
The umpire initially turned down Bangladesh’s appeal, but captain Najmul Hossain Shanto immediately called for a review.
Replays showed three reds, confirming that the ball would have hit the off stump. The decision was overturned, and Hasan celebrated his historic hat-trick.
The three wickets came in the space of just three deliveries as Afghanistan collapsed from 219 for five to 220 for eiight.
At the latest update, Afghanistan were 221 for eight after 84.4 overs, trailing Bangladesh by 125 runs.
