Key Takeaways
- Bangladesh fast bowler Hasan Mahmud took a hat-trick in the one-off Test against Afghanistan.
- Hasan's performance helped Bangladesh gain a first-innings lead of 106 runs.
- Afghanistan's Rahmat Shah scored a gritty 105 not out but could not match Bangladesh's 346.
Fast bowler Hasan Mahmud took a hat-trick to help Bangladesh gain a commanding lead over Afghanistan in the one-off Test in Abu Dhabi on Sunday.
The 26-year-old Hasan, fresh from his nine-wicket haul in Bangladesh’s upset of Australia at Darwin in August, finished with 5-55, dismissing Afghanistan for 240 at Sheikh Zayed Stadium.
Afghanistan's captain Rahmat Shah hit a gritty 105 not out, but his efforts were not enough to match Bangladesh's first-innings 346.
With a first-innings lead of 106, Bangladesh consolidated their position with 223-6 at close on day three, a lead of 329 runs with four wickets intact.
Hasan's pace partner Ebadot Hossain also contributed with 4-56, as the Afghan team struggled to match Bangladesh's performance.
Rahmat hit 10 fours and two sixes in his fourth Test hundred, but the support from his teammates was lacking.
Bangladesh's skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto with 82 and veteran batter Mushfiqur Rahim with 81 lifted them from 53-3 with a 159-run stand for the fourth wicket.
Pacers Yamin Ahmadzai (2-42) and Zia-ur-Rehman (2-55) shared the bowling honours for Afghanistan, but could not prevent the collapse of the Afghan team.
Hasan became only the third Bangladesh bowler after Alok Kapali (2003) and Sohag Gazi (2013) to take a Test hat-trick, adding to his four five-wicket hauls.
I am delighted to take a hat-trick and more than that it’s good to help the team get a strong position from where we can force a victory.
Hasan Mahmud, Bangladesh fast bowler
