Photo: Collected
Bangladesh extended their lead past 400 with the bat on the fourth day’s play on Monday. In the Abu Dhabi Test, at the time of writing, Shanto’s side had made 300 for the loss of six wickets in 89 overs, putting them 406 runs ahead of Afghanistan.
Litton Das is at the crease on 57 and Miraz on 35. The Tigers had begun the fourth day’s play with a 329-run lead, having lost six wickets. Before that, on the third day yesterday, devastating bowling from Hasan Mahmud and Ebadot Hossain ended Afghanistan’s first innings before they could reach 250. They were all out for 240, giving Bangladesh a big first-innings lead of 106 runs.
Between them, Hasan and Ebadot took nine Afghan wickets. Combining a five-wicket haul and a hat-trick, Hasan wrote his name into the history books on a memorable day of his career. Bangladesh had made 346 runs in their first innings.
The morning of the third day was like a dream for Bangladesh. After Afghanistan, who had been 211 for four the previous day, came out to bat, Ebadot Hossain Chowdhury struck early.
Ikram Alikhil, who had made 32 off 103 balls, was sent back to the pavilion by Ebadot. In the very next over, Hasan Mahmud worked his magic. It was the 83rd over, and he claimed three victims in a row off its 3rd, 4th and 5th balls, dismissing Ismat Alam, Qais Ahmad and Zia-ur-Rehman one after another. Ismat made one run before departing, while the last two were out for golden ducks. Three wickets in three balls: that is how Hasan completed a superb hat-trick.
Hasan did not stop after the hat-trick; he removed Yamin Ahmadzai to complete a superb five-for. At the same time, he became the fastest Bangladeshi pacer to reach the milestone of 50 Test wickets. Holding up the other end, Afghan captain Rahmat Shah scored a century, remaining unbeaten on 103 off 216 balls. Ebadot Hossain delivered the final blow to the Afghan innings by dismissing Mohammad Saleem, and Afghanistan were bowled out for 240.
With the ball, Hasan took five wickets, Ebadot four and Mehidy Hasan Miraz one.
That day Hasan became the third Bangladesh bowler to take a Test hat-trick, and the first pacer among them. Before him, the feat had been achieved for Bangladesh in Tests by Alok Kapali and Sohag Gazi, both of them spinners.
