Afghanistan batsman Rahmat Shah made history on Sunday, October 11. He became the first player from his country to score a century in his very first match as Test captain. Leading the team in the one-off Test against Bangladesh, Rahmat Shah played a magnificent innings of 105 runs off 216 balls. He struck 10 fours and two sixes during his knock, playing a pivotal role in Afghanistan’s first innings.
Rahmat Shah played a magnificent innings of 105 runs off 216 balls
Rahmat Shah, who had taken over the Test and ODI captaincy from Hashmatullah Shahidi earlier this year, spearheaded his team’s response after Bangladesh had posted 346 runs in their first innings. Opener Abdul Malik provided solid support with a patient 62 off 120 balls, while wicketkeeper-batsman Ikram Alikhil contributed a crucial 32 runs.
Despite Rahmat Shah’s brilliant captain’s knock, the Afghan team suffered a major collapse and was bowled out for 240, handing Bangladesh a substantial 106-run lead in the first innings. The primary architect of this collapse was Bangladeshi fast bowler Hasan Mahmud, who delivered a career-best performance (5/55).
Mahmud claimed a spectacular hat-trick and a five-wicket haul, etching his name in history as the first Bangladeshi fast bowler to take a hat-trick in a Test match. He became the third Bangladeshi cricketer overall to achieve this feat, following Alok Kapali (2003) and Sohag Gazi (2013). Additionally, Mahmud became the fastest Bangladeshi fast bowler to reach the milestone of 50 Test wickets, while his fellow pacer Ebadot Hossain provided excellent support by claiming four wickets.
Also Read: Bangladesh’s Hasan Mahmud Scripts History with Test Hat-Trick
Despite Afghan fast bowler Mohammad Salim Safi taking four wickets early in the match, Bangladesh made a strong start—fueled by half-centuries from Tanzid Hasan Tamim (83), Shadman Islam (67), and Litton Das (53)—and posted 346 runs in the first innings. The Test match is currently in its third day; at the time of writing, Bangladesh is batting in the second innings and holds a lead of 191 runs.
