Bangladesh led by 329 runs at stumps on day three in Abu Dhabi after Hasan Mahmud’s hat-trick helped bowl Afghanistan out for 240. Mushfiqur Rahim and Najmul Hossain Shanto made 81 and 82 before Afghanistan hit back late, leaving Bangladesh 223 for 6.
Abu Dhabi: The day began with Afghanistan on 211 for 4 and a chance to close the gap. It ended with Bangladesh in control of the one-off Test. Hasan Mahmud finished Afghanistan’s innings with a hat-trick, and Bangladesh’s experienced middle order then built a lead that already looks daunting.
Mahmud’s hat-trick ends the fightback
Afghanistan resumed with Rahmat Shah unbeaten on 84 and the innings on a platform. Rahmat went on to an unbeaten 105 off 216 balls, but he found little support. Once Bangladesh took the second new ball, Mahmud dismissed Ismat Alam, Qais Ahmad and Zia-ur-Rehman with three consecutive deliveries in the 83rd over, leaving Afghanistan on 220 for 8. They lost their last six wickets for 29 runs and were bowled out for 240 in 89.1 overs.
It was the first Test hat-trick by a Bangladesh pace bowler and the third by any Bangladeshi bowler, after Alok Kapali in 2003 and Sohag Gazi in 2013. Mahmud finished with 5 for 55, Ebadot Hossain took 4 for 56, and Mehidy Hasan Miraz claimed the other wicket. Mahmud also reached 50 Test wickets in his 17th Test, a pace-bowling record for Bangladesh. The first-innings lead was 106 after Bangladesh’s 346.
Mushfiqur and Shanto rebuild
Bangladesh’s second innings needed repairing. Shadman Islam, Mominul Haque and Tanzid Hasan Tamim, who made 31 off 38 balls before he was caught at slip off Yamin Ahmadzai, all went early, and Bangladesh were 53 for 3. Mushfiqur Rahim and Shanto then added 159 for the fourth wicket. Mushfiqur made 81 off 148 balls with seven fours, and Shanto 82 off 191 balls.
Afghanistan strike late
Afghanistan had the last word on the day. Three wickets fell in the final 10 overs. Zia-ur-Rehman had Mushfiqur caught as he tried to lift him over the wicketkeeper, and Qais Ahmad bowled Shanto with a leg-break shortly before stumps. Mahmud, sent in as nightwatchman, was trapped lbw by Zia-ur-Rehman. Bangladesh closed on 223 for 6, with Litton Das on 5 and Mehidy on 0.
What it means for day four
Bangladesh lead by 329 with four wickets in hand going into day four at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium. Afghanistan, who were in the game on the morning of day three, now need early wickets to stay within reach.
Day three summary: Afghanistan 240 all out (Rahmat Shah 105*; Hasan Mahmud 5/55 including a hat-trick, Ebadot Hossain 4/56, Mehidy Hasan Miraz 1 wicket) trailed Bangladesh’s 346 by 106. Bangladesh 223/6 in their second innings (Mushfiqur Rahim 81, Najmul Hossain Shanto 82, Tanzid Hasan Tamim 31; Zia-ur-Rehman 2/55) lead by 329.
