New Delhi: Bangladesh fast bowler Hasan Mahmud made history on Sunday, October 11, by becoming the first pacer from the country to take a hat-trick in Test cricket. The 26-year-old achieved the feat on Day 3 of the one-off Test against Afghanistan in Abu Dhabi, dismissing three batters in consecutive deliveries during the innings.
Mahmud struck in the 83rd over, bowling Ismat Alam with a delivery that beat his defense and crashed into the stumps. He dismissed Qais Ahmad off the next ball, with wicketkeeper Litton Das taking a low catch behind the stumps.
Zia-ur-Rehman was the next to fall as Mahmud completed his hat-trick. The pacer struck him on the pads and appealed for leg-before-wicket, but the on-field umpire turned down the decision. Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto called for a review, and ball-tracking showed that the delivery would have hit the off stump, overturning the decision and completing the hat-trick.
Mahmud became only the third Bangladesh bowler to take a hat-trick in Test cricket overall. Alok Kapali was the first, against Pakistan in Peshawar in 2003, while Sohag Gazi claimed one against New Zealand in Chittagong in 2013. Both previous bowlers were spinners, making Mahmud the first fast bowler from Bangladesh to achieve the milestone.
Mahmud finished his spell with figures of five for 55 in 21 overs as Afghanistan were bowled out for 240. Bangladesh had previously posted 346 in their first innings, securing a lead of 106 runs.
Afghanistan had resumed Day 3 at 211 for four and were looking to extend their total. Mahmud's sudden burst in the 83rd over left the hosts struggling at the lower end of the batting order, preventing them from recovering. The five-wicket haul further established Mahmud's role in the team's pace attack since making his Test debut in 2024.