Photo: Collected
Afghanistan’s first innings folded before reaching 250 in the Abu Dhabi Test; in the face of fiery bowling from Hasan Mahmud and Ebadot Hossain, they lost all their wickets for 240 runs. As a result, Bangladesh have taken a huge lead of 106 runs.
Hasan Mahmud and Ebadot Hossain took nine wickets between them. Hasan made history with a hat-trick along with a memorable five-wicket haul of his career. Bangladesh had scored 346 runs in their first innings.
The third day began as colourfully as a dream for the Bangladesh team. Afghanistan had started the day on 211 for four; Ebadot Hossain Chowdhury dealt them the first blow.
Ebadot dismissed Ikram Alikhil, who had made 32 off 103 balls. In the very next over, Hasan Mahmud showed his charisma. Off the third, fourth and fifth balls of the 83rd over, he sent back Ismat Alam, Qais Ahmad and Zia-ur-Rehman one after another. Ismat went for one run, while the other two were out for golden ducks. With three wickets in three balls, Hasan Mahmud claimed a superb hat-trick.
After the hat-trick, Hasan dismissed Yamin Ahmadzai to complete a superb fifer. With that, he also reached the milestone of 50 wickets as the fastest Bangladeshi pacer in Tests. Later, Afghan captain Rahmat Shah, who had held on, got his century; Rahmat stayed at the crease with 103 off 216 balls. Ebadot Hossain drove the final nail into the coffin of the Afghan innings by dismissing Mohammad Saleem. Afghanistan stopped at 240.
In terms of wickets, Hasan took five and Ebadot four, while Mehidy Hasan Miraz took one.
On the day, Hasan became the third Bangladeshi bowler to take a hat-trick in Tests, and the first among the pacers. The previous Test hat-tricks for Bangladesh belonged to Alok Kapali and Sohag Gazi, both of whom were spinners.
