Hasan’s hat-trick puts Tigers in driving seat

Bangladesh pacer Hasan Mahmud produced a sensational hat-trick and claimed five wickets to put Tigers firmly in control of the one-off Test against Afghanistan in Abu Dhabi on Sunday, with the visitors holding a commanding 329-run lead at the end of the third day.

Bangladesh reached 223-4 in their second innings, with four wickets in hand, after Hasan’s devastating spell bowled Afghanistan out for 240. The Tigers secured a first-innings lead of 106 runs.

Hasan’s hat-trick came in his 17th Test, making him the first Bangladesh fast bowler to achieve the feat and only the third Bangladeshi bowler to do so. It was the 50th hat-trick in Test history, following Alok Kapali’s effort against Pakistan in 2003 and Sohag Gazi’s against New Zealand in 2013.

Afghanistan resumed on 211-4 but lost their final six wickets for just 29 runs. Hasan struck three times in the last three balls of the 83rd over, bowling Ismat Alam, having Qais Ahmad caught behind and trapping Zia-ur-Rehman leg-before after Bangladesh successfully reviewed the umpire’s not-out decision.

He later dismissed Yamin Ahmadzai to complete his five-wicket haul, finishing with 5-55. It was his fourth five-wicket haul in Tests and took him to 50 career wickets, making him the fastest Bangladesh fast bowler to reach the milestone.

Ebadot Hossain also played a key role, taking 2-6 in 4.1 overs as Afghanistan’s last six wickets fell in just 10.1 overs. Rahmat Shah, however, stood firm with an unbeaten 105, scoring a century in his first Test as Afghanistan captain.

Bangladesh’s second innings began shakily as Shadman Islam fell for 13, Mominul Haque made seven and Tanzid Hasan Tamim scored 31. At 53-3, the visitors needed a recovery.

Captain Najmul Hossain Shanto and Mushfiqur Rahim delivered it with a 159-run fourth-wicket stand. Mushfiqur scored 81 off 148 balls, including nine fours, ending a run of six innings without a half-century before falling to a catch at slip off Zia-ur-Rehman.

Shanto made 82 off 148 balls, hitting five fours, but was bowled by Qais Ahmad just five minutes before stumps.

With a substantial lead already secured, Tigers will look to extend their advantage on the fourth day before setting the Blue Tigers a challenging target.