Hasan’s hattrick headlines Afghan collapse; Tigers take 150-run lead at lunch

Bangladesh turned the first hour of the third day into a nightmare for Afghanistan, claiming six wickets for just 29 runs as Hasan Mahmud’s historic hattrick and Ebadot Hossain’s four-wicket haul bowled the hosts out for 240 in Abu Dhabi on Sunday. The visitors took a 106-run first-innings lead but lost two wickets before lunch in their second innings, reaching 44 for two to stretch their overall advantage to 150 runs.

Afghanistan, who resumed on 211 for four, had been in a position to challenge Bangladesh’s first-innings total of 346. But the second new ball transformed the contest, with Ebadot breaking the fifth-wicket stand before Hasan ran through the lower order in a devastating three-ball burst.

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The hosts had looked settled overnight, with Rahmat Shah and Ikram Alikhil at the crease. However, Ebadot broke their 80-run fifth-wicket stand by bowling Alikhil for 32 with a beauty that dismantled his stumps in the 82nd over.

Hasan then took centre stage in the next over. Ismat Alam, who had made one, was beaten by a back-of-a-length delivery that stayed low and slipped beneath his bat to hit the lower part of off-stump.

Qais Ahmad was next, edging a delivery outside off to wicketkeeper Litton Das, who produced a stunning one-handed diving catch to his right, taking the ball inches above the ground.

With history beckoning, Hasan trapped Zia-ur-Rehman lbw for a golden duck. The on-field umpire initially turned down the appeal, but Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto opted for a review. UltraEdge showed no contact with the bat, while ball-tracking returned three reds, confirming the ball would have hit the top of off-stump.

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Hasan becomes first Bangladesh pacer to claim Test hattrick

Hasan’s hattrick was only the third by a Bangladeshi bowler in Test cricket, after Alok Kapali against Pakistan in Peshawar in 2003 and Sohag Gazi against New Zealand in Chattogram in 2013. It was also the 50th hat-trick in Test history.

The pacer was not done yet. He removed Yamin Ahmadzai for a duck, caught behind by Litton, to complete his five-wicket haul and finish with 5-55. 

Hasan also became the fastest Bangladeshi pacer to reach 50 Test wickets, achieving the milestone in his 17th Test and 29th innings. He is only the fourth Bangladeshi fast bowler to reach the mark and the eighth bowler from the country overall.

Ebadot then wrapped up the innings by dismissing Mohammad Saleem, also caught by Litton, to finish with 4-56. Hasan’s five-for also brought him level with Shahadat Hossain for the most five-wicket hauls by a Bangladeshi pacer in Tests, with four.

Amid the wreckage, Rahmat stood tall. The Afghanistan captain remained unbeaten on 105 off 216 deliveries, including 10 fours and two sixes, registering his fourth Test century. He had earlier shared a 104-run third-wicket partnership with Abdul Malik, who made 62, but found little support once Bangladesh took the second new ball.

Bangladesh’s reply got off to a brisk start before Mohammad Saleem struck in the eighth over. Shadman Islam, who made 13 off 22 deliveries, attempted to pull a short ball but failed to keep it down, allowing Rahmat to take the catch at deep square leg.

Tanzid Hasan continued to score freely, reaching 24 not out off 28 balls with five fours, but Mominul Haque fell shortly before lunch. Yamin Ahmadzai drew an edge from Mominul, who had made seven, and Sediqullah Atal took a sharp catch at first slip.

Bangladesh went into the interval at 44 for two after 10.4 overs, with Tanzid and the incoming Najmul Hossain Shanto tasked with rebuilding the innings and extending the visitors’ advantage.