Hasan Mahmud's hat-trick and 5-55 leave Afghanistan chasing the game in Abu Dhabi

Hasan Mahmud became the first Bangladesh fast bowler to take a hat-trick in Test cricket as Afghanistan were bowled out for 240 in Abu Dhabi

Three deliveries in the 83rd over of Afghanistan's first innings on Sunday settled the shape of the one-off Test at the Zayed Cricket Stadium. Hasan Mahmud bowled Ismat Alam, had Qais Ahmad caught at slip by Litton Das and then pinned Zia-ur-Rehman in front.

The third wicket was given only after Bangladesh reviewed a not-out decision, and the replay showed the ball clipping the top of off stump.

Mahmud finished with 5-55 from 21 overs. Afghanistan, who had resumed the third day on 211 for 4, lost their last six wickets for 29 runs to be all out for 240 in 89.1 overs.

That handed Bangladesh a first-innings lead of 106, and by the fourth day the advantage had grown to 379 with the tourists 273 for 6 in their second innings.

Three balls in the 83rd over

Ismat Alam lost his off stump to the first of the three. Qais Ahmad edged the next to slip, where Litton Das held a diving catch.

Zia-ur-Rehman was then struck on the pad and initially survived, until the captain and the wicketkeeper intervened. Both "told me that it was going to hit, so I could take the review", Mahmud said afterwards.

His own account of the spell was plainer than the occasion. "I just felt that I should bowl straight. That's it. Let the ball do the job," he said.

Speaking at stumps on the third day, he called it "an amazing feeling", and said he had not been nervous despite taking only one wicket on the second day.

A first for Bangladesh's fast bowlers

Mahmud is the third Bangladesh bowler to take a Test hat-trick, after Alok Kapali against Pakistan in 2003 and Sohag Gazi against New Zealand in 2013.

Both of those were spinners, which makes Mahmud the first seamer from the country to do it in the format.

The same spell carried him to 50 Test wickets, reached in his 17th match, and brought up his fourth five-wicket haul in Tests.

Afghanistan lose six for 29

The collapse began when Ebadot Hossain bowled Ikram Alikhil for 32 to end an 80-run stand on the third morning. Ebadot took 4-56, and Mehidy Hasan Miraz claimed the other wicket to fall.

It left Rahmat Shah stranded on 105 not out, his fourth Test century, as the innings closed around him.

Afghanistan had been better placed overnight, six wickets in hand and the arrears down to 135. The last 29 runs of the innings cost them every one of those wickets.

Bangladesh build an imposing lead

Bangladesh had chosen to bat and made 346 in 92.3 overs in their first innings, Tanzid Hasan top-scoring with 83 and Shadman Islam making 67.

Their second innings had reached 273 for 6 from 83.5 overs on the fourth day, four wickets in hand and the fifth day still to come.

Afghanistan have not been set a target yet, with Bangladesh still batting on the fourth day.

A Test outside the championship

The match is a standalone fixture and does not form part of the World Test Championship cycle, so neither side has points riding on the result.

Afghanistan play Tests only occasionally, and the fifth day will decide whether they can bat out the match or hand Bangladesh a one-off win.

Scorecard: Bangladesh 346 (92.3 overs) and 273 for 6 (83.5 overs); Afghanistan 240 (89.1 overs, Rahmat Shah 105 not out, Hasan Mahmud 5-55, Ebadot Hossain 4-56). Bangladesh lead by 379 runs.

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