Hasan Makes History with a Hat-Trick

The day began with a hat-trick by Hasan Mahmud and ended with his dismissal of a batter through leg before wicket (LBW). At the end of the third day of the Abu Dhabi Test, Bangladesh found themselves in a mixed position.

After Ebadot Hossain took the first wicket of the day, Mr. Hasan claimed a hat-trick. Afghanistan, who resumed at 211 for 4, lost their last six wickets for just 29 runs. Later, after Bangladesh lost three wickets for 53 runs, Najmul Hossain Shanto and Mushfiqur Rahim built a strong partnership of 159 runs. Both scored half-centuries but fell short of hundreds. Mr. Mushfiq made 81, while Mr. Najmul was dismissed for 82.

Bangladesh lost three batters within five overs late in the day, putting themselves under some pressure. However, thanks to their first-innings lead, they remained in a strong position. Their lead of 106 runs after the first innings had grown to 329 by stumps, with four wickets still in hand.

The morning began with a historic moment. A delivery from Mr. Hasan pitched slightly outside off stump before swinging sharply in. Ziaur Rahman Akbar failed to deal with it, and the ball struck his pads. The appeal was strong, but the umpire turned it down. As it was the hat-trick ball, Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto did not hesitate to review the decision. Replays showed that the ball would have hit the top of off stump, overturning the umpire’s decision and completing Mr. Hasan’s hat-trick.

Mr. Hasan had dismissed Ismat Alam and Qais Ahmad with the previous two deliveries. Mr. Zia could not survive the third. Mr. Hasan thus became the first fast bowler in Bangladesh’s Test history to take a hat-trick. Bangladesh, who made their Test debut in 2000, were playing their 162nd Test against Afghanistan in Abu Dhabi. Before this match, Bangladesh had witnessed two Test hat-tricks, both by spinners.

Alok Kapali took the first against Pakistan in Peshawar in 2003, while Sohag Gazi claimed the second against New Zealand in Chattogram in 2013. Mr. Gazi also scored a century in that match, achieving a rare double. Mr. Kapali was a leg-spinner, while Mr. Gazi was an off-spinner. Nearly 13 years later, Mr. Hasan, who is approaching his 27th birthday, became the first Bangladeshi fast bowler to take three wickets in three consecutive deliveries in a Test.

Earlier in the morning, Bangladesh took the second new ball after just one over. Ebadot Hossain broke Afghanistan’s overnight partnership in the second over with the new ball, sending Ikram Alikhil back to the dressing room. Mr. Hasan then produced his magic in the following over. Mr. Ismat was bowled by a delivery that stayed low and moved in off the second ball. Hasan then bowled a delivery from slightly wider outside off stump, which Qais edged behind. Wicketkeeper Litton Kumar Das took an excellent diving catch to his right.

With two wickets falling in successive deliveries, Mr. Zia had to come to the crease in a hurry. He adjusted his pads and gloves near the pitch but could not stay for long. Mr. Hasan dismissed him with the next ball to complete his hat-trick.

Mr. Hasan later dismissed Yamin Ahmadzai caught behind to complete his fourth five-wicket haul in Test cricket. The special feature of Mr. Hasan’s hat-trick was that the three wickets came in three different ways. The wicketkeeper helped with the second dismissal, while Mr. Hasan took the other two wickets without assistance from a fielder.

Mr. Hasan’s achievement was the 50th hat-trick in the 150-year history of Test cricket and the first in 2026. The 49th was taken by Australia’s Scott Boland against the West Indies in Kingston on July 14, 2025.

Brief Scorecard — End of Day Three

Bangladesh: 346 and 223 for 6 in 72 overs in the second innings. Mr. Shadman 13, Mr. Tanzid 31, Mr. Mominul 7, Mr. Shanto 82, Mr. Mushfiqur 81, Mr. Litton 5 not out, Mr. Hasan 1, Mehidy Hasan Miraz 0 not out. Mr. Yamin 2/42, Mr. Salim 1/39, Mr. Zia 2/55, Mr. Qais 1/36.

Afghanistan — First innings: 240 in 89.1 overs (overnight 211/4). Mr. Rahmat 105, Mr. Ikram 32, Mr. Ismat 1, Mr. Qais 0, Mr. Zia 0, Mr. Yamin 0, Mr. Salim 0. Mr. Hasan 5/55, Mr. Ebadot 4/56, Mr. Miraz 1/41.

Hasan Mahmud’s Achievements and Milestones

• Became the first Bangladeshi fast bowler to take a hat-trick in Test cricket.
• Became the third Bangladeshi bowler to take a Test hat-trick, after Alok Kapali in 2003 and Sohag Gazi in 2013.
• Reached 50 Test wickets in 17 matches and 29 innings, becoming the fastest Bangladeshi fast bowler to reach the milestone.
• Became the fourth Bangladeshi fast bowler to take 50 Test wickets, after Mashrafe Bin Mortaza (78), Shahadat Hossain (72) and Taskin Ahmed (59). Overall, he became the eighth Bangladeshi bowler to reach 50 Test wickets.
• Joined Shahadat Hossain with four five-wicket hauls, the joint-highest tally among Bangladeshi fast bowlers in Test cricket.
• Took the 50th hat-trick in Test cricket history.