Abu Dhabi, 11 October (H.S.):

Bangladesh fast bowler Hasan Mahmud achieved a historic milestone on Sunday, becoming the first pace bowler from his country to claim a hat-trick in Test cricket. He accomplished the feat on the third day of the one-off Test against Afghanistan in Abu Dhabi, dismissing Ismat Alam, Qais Ahmad and Zia-ur-Rehman off three consecutive deliveries.

Mahmud began his hat-trick by bowling Ismat Alam. On the next delivery, Qais Ahmad got a touch on the ball, only for Bangladesh wicketkeeper Litton Das to take the catch. Ahmad returned to the pavilion without scoring.

On the third consecutive delivery, Mahmud appealed for a leg-before-wicket (LBW) dismissal against Zia-ur-Rehman. The on-field umpire initially turned down the appeal, prompting Bangladesh to request a review under the Decision Review System (DRS). Hawk-Eye technology showed that the ball was projected to hit the off stump. The umpire subsequently overturned his original decision and declared Zia-ur-Rehman out. He, too, departed without opening his account.

Before Mahmud, two Bangladesh bowlers had taken Test hat-tricks. Alok Kapali achieved the feat against Pakistan in Peshawar in 2003, while Sohag Gazi claimed one against New Zealand in Chattogram in 2013. Both were spin bowlers.

Mahmud has now become the third Bangladeshi bowler to take a hat-trick in Test cricket, while also earning the distinction of being the country's first fast bowler to achieve the feat.

Mahmud finished with impressive figures of five wickets for 55 runs, playing a crucial role in restricting Afghanistan to 240 in their first innings. Bangladesh had scored 346 runs in their first innings.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar