Hasan Mahmud becomes first Bangladeshi pacer to take a Test hat-trick

Bangladesh's pace attack changed the complexion of the match at the very start of the third day of the Abu Dhabi Test. Afghanistan, who ended the second day on 211 runs for four wickets, came under pressure after losing wickets quickly on the morning of the third day. Hasan Mahmud dealt a major blow to Afghanistan's batting line-up with a superb hat-trick. With this feat, he became the first Bangladeshi pacer to record a hat-trick in Test cricket.

At the start of the day, Ebadot Hossain broke the 80-run partnership built by Ikram Alikhil and Rahmat Shah. Ikram was bowled by his delivery and returned to the pavilion for 32 runs. It was after this wicket that Hasan Mahmud unleashed a storm on the Afghans. In the 83rd over of the innings, the Bangladeshi pacer completed his hat-trick by dismissing three batters off three consecutive balls.

Hasan bowled Ismat Alam with the third ball of the over. Off the next ball, he had Qais Ahmad caught by the wicketkeeper. Then, the right-arm pacer completed his hat-trick by trapping Ziaur Rahman leg before. Afghanistan's batting department was virtually left reeling after losing three wickets in just three balls. His devastating bowling created a major opportunity for Bangladesh to fight back into the match.

With this achievement, Hasan Mahmud became the third Bangladeshi bowler to take a hat-trick in Test cricket. Earlier, two spinners, Alok Kapali and Sohag Gazi, had achieved this feat for Bangladesh. In 2003, Alok Kapali became the first Bangladeshi bowler to take a hat-trick against Pakistan in Peshawar. Later, in 2013, Sohag Gazi wrote his name in the pages of history by taking a hat-trick against New Zealand in Chattogram. Now Hasan has joined that list, but he is the first as a pacer.

Amid Afghanistan's batting collapse, Rahmat Shah has held one end. Even during Hasan's hat-trick, this batter, at the other end, was trying to take the team's innings forward. At the time of writing this report, he was unbeaten on 87 runs. However, the loss of quick wickets has largely dented Afghanistan's chances of building a big total.

According to the latest score available, Afghanistan's first innings total is 221 runs for eight wickets. In reply to Bangladesh's first innings score of 346 runs, they are still 125 runs behind. If the remaining wickets can be taken quickly, Bangladesh will have the opportunity to leave the opposition far behind. Hasan Mahmud's historic hat-trick has therefore not only turned the match around but also brightened Bangladesh's chances of taking a big lead.