BAN vs AFG: Another historic feat for Nijat Masood, becomes only 2nd Afghan bowler to clock this milestone

Afghanistan's new bowling sensation Nijat Masood continues to create buzz with his bowling prowess in the one-off Test against Bangladesh on Thursday (June 15). The 24-year-old Nijat became just the second Afghan bowler to snare a fifer on Test debut as he notched a brilliant bowling figure of 5/79 in the first innings against Bangladesh in Mirpur. Apparently, he has also become the youngest Afghanistani bowler to step on the milestone of bagging a fifer on Test debut.

Notably, 31-year-old spinner Amir Hamza was the first Afghani bowler to record a feat of taking five-wicket haul on Test debut. Hamza stepped on the the sensational milestone in the second innings against West Indies at Lucknow in November 2019.

Earlier on Wednesday, Nijat started off his debut on a historic note as he became only the eighth bowler in the history of Test cricket to snare a wicket on his first ball. Nijat got rid off Bangladesh's opener Zakir Hasan in the first ball of the second over on Wednesday. Nijat joined Richard Illingworth, Nilesh Kulkarni, Chamila Gamage, Nathan Lyon, Shaminda Eranga, Dane Piedt and Hardus Viljoen in the elite list.

Who are the bowlers to snare first-ball wicket on Test debut 
 

Richard Illingworth (1991)
Nilesh Kulkarni (1997)
Chamila Gamage (2002)
Nathan Lyon (2011)
Shaminda Eranga (2011)
Dane Piedt (2014)
Hardus Viljoen (2016)
Nijat Masood (2023)

Nijat ended up picking two wickets on the opening day of the match and extended his dream debut with three more on Day 2 in the first session. Nijat's splendid bowling saw Bangladesh's innings folding up for 382 despite Najmul Hossan Shanto's incredible century (146 off 175).

Nijat Masood dismissed Zakir Hasan, Mominul Haque and Mushfiqur Rahim, Taijul Islam and Shoriful Islam in his incredible spell.

However, Afghanistan batters couldn't capitalise on Nijat's heroics and while replying to Bangladesh's 382, were reduced to a paltry 146, thanks to Ebadot Hossain's impressive spell of 4/47. Afghanistan's batting collapse gave Bangladesh a massive lead of 236 runs. As of three overs in the second innings, Bangladesh are 19/1 with Zakir Hasan and Shanto intact on the crease.