Hasan Mahmud Makes Test Cricket History With Bangladesh’s First Hat-Trick
Bangladesh fast bowler Hasan Mahmud called the moment “amazing” after becoming the first player from his country to take a hat-trick in Test cricket. His landmark spell helped dismantle Afghanistan’s batting line-up on the third morning of the ongoing Test, giving Bangladesh a commanding position in the match.
Hasan finished with a five-wicket haul as Afghanistan were dismissed for 240, leaving Bangladesh with a first-innings lead of 106 runs. The right-armer’s three consecutive strikes transformed the morning session and added a historic milestone to a performance built on patience, control and confidence in the conditions.
Early movement sets up a memorable spell
Conditions offered encouragement for Bangladesh’s seamers, with movement available off the pitch early in the day. Hasan said he focused on keeping his bowling simple: staying upright, finding the right line and allowing the ball to swing or seam rather than trying to force a breakthrough.
“It’s an amazing feeling,” Hasan said after play. “When you start bowling and see movement off the wicket, you try to bowl upright, swing the ball and get a wicket. I was just trying that and following my process. I was pleased to see this kind of movement in the morning.”
His comments reflected a disciplined approach that proved particularly effective against Afghanistan. Instead of chasing wickets with extravagant deliveries, Hasan targeted the top of the stumps and made the most of the assistance on offer. In Test cricket, that kind of consistency can create pressure over an extended spell—and, as Hasan demonstrated, pressure can quickly turn into a cluster of wickets.
The fast bowler had claimed only one wicket on the previous day, but he said that did not leave him anxious. He remained confident that another opportunity would come, and was looking forward to returning to the attack on the third morning.
“Last day I only got one wicket the whole day, but I wasn’t nervous at all. I was looking forward to today,” he said.
Three deliveries, three wickets
Hasan’s historic sequence came in his second over of the morning. He began by bowling Ismat Alam, uprooting the batter’s off stump with the third ball of the fourth over. The next delivery brought another breakthrough, as Qais Ahmad edged a good-length ball through to wicketkeeper Litton Kumar Das.
Litton reacted sharply, diving to his right to complete an excellent catch and leave Afghanistan under further pressure. Hasan then completed the hat-trick by trapping Ziaur Rahman lbw with the next ball. The umpire initially rejected Bangladesh’s appeal, but the hosts chose to review the decision. The replay showed the delivery was hitting the stumps, and the decision was overturned—confirming Hasan’s place in Bangladesh cricket history.
The moment was significant not only because it was a national first, but also because it came at a critical stage of the innings. Afghanistan had been attempting to build a response, but Hasan’s three-ball burst halted that effort and accelerated the collapse. His five-wicket haul helped Bangladesh bowl out the visitors for 240 and establish a substantial first-innings advantage.
Litton and Shanto back the review
Bangladesh’s decision to review Ziaur’s lbw dismissal was not automatic. The team had already used and lost a couple of reviews in the first innings, so another unsuccessful challenge could have reduced its options later in the match. Hasan said captain Najmul Hossain Shanto and Litton both played an important role in deciding whether to take the chance.
“Great catch by Litton Das to remove Qais. Later, Ziaur’s ball hit him directly on the pad, and it was straight,” Hasan explained. He added that he spoke with Litton, who believed the ball was likely to hit the stumps, though the point of impact and the batter’s position still needed consideration.
“We lost a couple of DRS in the first innings, so everyone was thinking about the DRS, whether it was going to be hitting or not. Credit to the captain and Litton Das. They were talking and chatting with each other, and then they told me that it was going to hit, so I could take the review,” he said.
The successful review underlined how communication can matter in high-pressure cricket. A bowler may have the clearest view of the impact, while the wicketkeeper and captain can offer useful perspectives on the line and trajectory. In this case, the group’s confidence proved decisive, turning a rejected appeal into the final wicket of a historic hat-trick.
A simple plan with a major impact
Hasan credited his success to sticking with a straightforward plan rather than overcomplicating the spell. He aimed to bowl straight, attack the stumps and trust the pitch to help create uncertainty for the batters.
“I just felt that I should bowl straight. That’s it. Let the ball do the job. So I just followed the line and bowled at the top of the stumps,” he said.
That approach offers a useful reminder of what makes effective fast bowling in Test cricket: disciplined lines, repeatable lengths and the patience to keep asking questions. When the surface provides movement, a bowler does not always need to search for a spectacular delivery. A well-directed ball can draw an edge, beat the bat or bring the pads into play.
For Bangladesh, Hasan’s achievement provides both a historic highlight and a major boost in the contest. His performance has shifted the match’s momentum, while the 106-run first-innings lead gives the team a valuable platform. The next phase will test Bangladesh’s ability to build on that advantage and apply pressure with both bat and ball.
As fans follow the match, cricket prediction discussions are likely to focus on whether Bangladesh can turn its lead into a decisive result. Hasan’s hat-trick has strengthened the hosts’ position, but Test matches often change direction across several sessions. For now, the fast bowler’s landmark spell stands as the defining moment: a calm, process-driven performance that delivered Bangladesh’s first Test hat-trick and a crucial advantage over Afghanistan.
