Photo: Collected
Bangladesh have stretched their lead past 350 to 352 runs in the Abu Dhabi Test against Afghanistan. At the time of writing on the fourth day on Monday, Shanto’s side had made 254 runs for the loss of six wickets in 79 overs. Litton Das was batting on 27 and Miraz on 9.
The Tigers began the fourth day’s play with a lead of 329 runs with six wickets down. Yesterday, on the third day, Afghanistan could not even reach 250 in the face of dominant bowling by Hasan Mahmud and Ebadot Hossain; they were bowled out for 240 in their first innings. As a result, Bangladesh took a big lead of 106 runs.
Hasan and Ebadot took nine Afghan wickets between them. Hasan made history on a memorable day in his career, taking five wickets including a hat-trick. Earlier, Bangladesh had scored 346 runs in their first innings.
Afghanistan began the third day’s play on their previous day’s total of 211 for four. The start of the day was like a colourful dream for Bangladesh, with Ebadot Hossain Chowdhury striking the first blow.
Ikram Alikhil fell to Ebadot after making 32 off 103 balls. Hasan Mahmud’s surprise came in the next over: he dismissed Ismat Alam, Qais Ahmad and Zia-ur-Rehman off successive deliveries — the third, fourth and fifth balls of the 83rd over. Ismat managed one run, but the other two went back for golden ducks. Thus Hasan Mahmud claimed a superb hat-trick with three wickets in three balls.
Hasan then completed his five-wicket haul by sending Yamin Ahmadzai back to the dressing room. He also became the fastest Bangladeshi pacer to reach 50 Test wickets. Afghan captain Rahmat Shah, however, held firm at the wicket and brought up a century, remaining unbeaten on 103 off 216 balls. Ebadot Hossain eventually ended the Afghan innings by removing Mohammad Saleem, with the side bowled out for 240.
In terms of wickets, Hasan took five, Ebadot four and Mehidy Hasan Miraz one.
With this hat-trick, Hasan became the third Bangladeshi bowler to achieve the feat in Tests, and the first pacer to do so. Before him, Alok Kapali and Sohag Gazi had taken Test hat-tricks for Bangladesh — both of them spinners.
