Hasan becomes first Bangladesh pacer to claim Test hattrick

Hasan Mahmud made history in Abu Dhabi on Sunday, becoming the first Bangladeshi pacer to claim a hattrick in Test cricket with a devastating three-ball burst that left Afghanistan reeling at 221 for eight.

Hasan became only the third Bangladeshi bowler to take a Test hat-trick, following Alok Kapali, who achieved the feat against Pakistan in Peshawar in 2003, and Sohag Gazi, who took one against New Zealand in Chattogram in 2013.

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Bangladesh bowled out for 346 in first innings

The right-arm pacer began his assault on the third morning by exploiting the variable bounce on offer with the second new ball. Ismat Alam, who had made one off four balls, was caught off guard by a back-of-a-length delivery that stayed alarmingly low. As Alam tried to keep it out, the ball sneaked under his bat and crashed into the lower part of off-stump, leaving the batter staring at the damage in disbelief.

Then came Qais Ahmad who pushed at a back-of-a-length delivery outside off but could only manage a thick outside edge. Slightly wrong-footed, wicketkeeper Litton Das reacted superbly, diving full length to his right like a goalkeeper and plucking the ball one-handed inches above the ground.

With two wickets in two balls, Hasan had history within reach. Zia-ur-Rehman, facing his first delivery, tried to counter a back-of-a-length ball angled in towards off-stump, looking to punch it towards mid-on. He was beaten on the inside edge and struck on the pads, but the on-field umpire turned down the appeal.

Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto consulted his teammates before opting for a review. UltraEdge showed no contact with the bat, and ball-tracking returned three reds, confirming the ball would have hit the top of off-stump.

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Afghanistan hit back to leave Bangladesh at 317-8

The decision was overturned, the giant screen flashed OUT, and Hasan was congratulated by ecstatic teammates as he completed the landmark hat-trick.

He improved his figures to 4-39, delivering Bangladesh a dream start to the third day's play.