Bangladesh Seize Control of Abu Dhabi Test After Hasan Mahmud’s Hat-Trick
Afghanistan captain Rahmat Shah produced a determined century, but his effort was overshadowed as Bangladesh took command of the Abu Dhabi Test on Day 3. A devastating spell from Hasan Mahmud triggered Afghanistan’s lower-order collapse, giving Bangladesh a 106-run first-innings lead. Mushfiqur Rahim and Najmul Hossain Shanto then added a composed 159-run partnership in punishing heat, pushing the advantage beyond 300 and putting Bangladesh in a powerful position.
Bangladesh closed the day at 223 for 6, leading by 329 runs. With two days remaining and the pitch beginning to show signs of wear, the match outlook—and any cricket prediction for the finish—will depend heavily on how Afghanistan’s batters handle both the growing target and the increasingly challenging surface.
Hasan Mahmud’s Hat-Trick Changes the Match
Afghanistan resumed at 211 for 4, with Rahmat still batting and Ibrahim Alikhil alongside him. The pair had helped steady the innings, but the second new ball soon shifted the momentum. Ebadot Hossain removed Alikhil, who had spent 102 deliveries at the crease, drawing him into a stroke that ended in a catch.
Mahmud then made an immediate impact. In the next over, he bowled Ismat Alam before producing two more deliveries that found the edge, completing a hat-trick. The achievement made him the first Bangladesh fast bowler to take a hat-trick in Test cricket—a landmark moment on a day when his pace and control proved decisive.
Afghanistan’s innings unravelled quickly. Mahmud claimed another wicket to complete his fourth five-wicket haul in Tests and became the fastest Bangladesh fast bowler to reach 50 wickets in the format. Ebadot also kept the pressure on, finishing with four wickets as the visitors lost their remaining batters in a rush.
Rahmat Shah Fights on Alone
While wickets fell around him, Rahmat continued to bat with patience and resolve. Short of reliable support, he chose his moments carefully, then showed his power by hitting Mahmud for an inside-out six and a boundary to reach his fourth Test century. Another four followed, briefly lifting Afghanistan’s total, but the innings ended at 240.
Rahmat’s 101 was a valuable display of concentration against a relentless attack. Abdul Malik provided the next-best contribution with 62, yet Afghanistan’s lower order could not build on their captain’s work. The collapse meant Rahmat’s century added only limited protection against Bangladesh’s growing advantage.
Bangladesh Build a Substantial Second-Innings Lead
Bangladesh began their second innings positively. Tanzid Hasan Tamim attacked Yamin Ahmadzai, striking four boundaries in one over and using his feet to disrupt the bowler’s length. The early aggression suggested Bangladesh were looking to score freely, but Afghanistan soon found a response.
Mohammad Safi dismissed Shadman Islam with a short delivery that prompted a mistimed pull to deep square leg. Ahmadzai then added to the pressure, using late swing to draw Mominul Haque into an edge that carried to the slips. Bangladesh had lost two wickets, but their position remained strong, and they went into lunch with the initiative.
Rahim and Shanto then set about rebuilding. Rahim relied on the qualities that have made him one of Bangladesh’s most dependable Test batters: a compact defence, calm judgement outside off stump and an ability to absorb pressure. Shanto played a more watchful supporting role, allowing the partnership to grow without taking unnecessary risks.
Rahim and Shanto Put Afghanistan Under Pressure
There was a brief burst of faster scoring when spin entered the attack. Rahim moved from 28 off 41 balls to 41 off 51, taking advantage of opportunities to rotate the strike and find boundaries. He later survived an lbw appeal after attempting a lap-sweep against Zia-ur-Rehman; replays indicated that part of his bat was involved.
Shanto also had a slice of fortune when an outside edge fell just short of first slip. He remained measured, taking 135 balls to reach his half-century and striking only three fours on the way. His innings was not built on eye-catching strokes, but on discipline and the ability to stay at the crease.
Afghanistan’s frontline spinners struggled to maintain consistent lengths, giving both batters room to adjust their positions and play with relative comfort. The partnership eventually reached 159, a stand that turned Bangladesh’s first-innings lead into a commanding match advantage.
Late Wickets Offer Afghanistan a Glimmer of Hope
Afghanistan found encouragement late in the day. Rahim fell while trying to work the ball to the leg side, sending a top edge towards slip. Qais followed with a delivery that underlined how the surface was changing: pitching well outside off stump, it turned sharply and bowled Shanto for 82.
Nightwatcher Hasan Mahmud also departed soon afterwards, leaving Bangladesh at 223 for 6. Those wickets gave Afghanistan a chance to limit further damage on the fourth morning, but they came after Bangladesh had already established a substantial lead. With the visitors needing to bat again, the late breakthroughs did little to erase the pressure created by the long partnership.
What Day 3 Means for the Test
The contest now presents Afghanistan with a demanding challenge. Bangladesh’s lead of 329 runs gives them several options: they can continue batting to set an even larger target, or declare with enough time to attack Afghanistan in the fourth innings. The decision will likely depend on how quickly Bangladesh score and how much assistance the worn pitch offers their bowlers.
For Afghanistan, Rahmat’s resilience remains a positive, but the team will need a more complete batting effort if it is to stay in the match. Bangladesh, meanwhile, can take confidence from Mahmud’s historic spell and the composure shown by Rahim and Shanto. Any cricket prediction at this stage favours Bangladesh, though the final outcome will depend on their second-innings total and whether Afghanistan’s batters can withstand the pressure.
Brief scores: Bangladesh 346 and 223 for 6 (Najmul Hossain Shanto 82, Mushfiqur Rahim 81; Yamin Ahmadzai 2-42, Qaid Ahmad 1-36), lead Afghanistan 240 (Rahmat Shah 101, Abdul Malik 62; Hasan Mahmud 5-55, Ebadot Hossain 4-56) by 329 runs.
