Bangladesh’s 24-year-old pacer Hasan Mahmud bowled a breathtaking spell with the new ball on Day 1 of the first Test against India at MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai on September 19. Mahmud became the first pacer to take three wickets and concede less than 10 runs in first 10 overs of a Test in India.
The previous record belonged to former New Zealand pacer Chris Martin who bagged three wickets for 10 runs in 2010 in Ahmedabad. Also, South Africa's Makhaya Ntini took three wickets for 16 runs in 2008. A year later, Sri Lanka's Chanaka Welegedara took three wickets for 18 runs at the same venue.
Mahmud’s fiery opening spell
Mahmud who bagged his first fifer in Test cricket against Pakistan in the historic series win got the ball to move around in overcast conditions. In his second over, he hit the pads of skipper Rohit Sharma but the latter was saved by the umpire's call as it was only clipping the top of middle stump. On the first ball of the sixth over, he got the outside edge off Rohit's bat which carried to first slip fielder Najmul Hossain Shanto.
In his fourth over, Mahmud sprayed one down the leg side and conceded four byes. He bowled another one down the leg side and Gill edged it to Litton Das in an attempt to flick. In the fifth over of his spell, he got another prized wicket. He pitched one up and Virat Kohli went chasing after it with hard hands. The big booming drive led to Kohli's departure. He got a thick edge and Litton completed a regulation catch.
India were struggling at 34/3 in the 10th over. In his first spell, Mahmud bowled two maidens, conceded 14 runs and took three wickets. The only other boundary he conceded in first spell was off Yashasvi Jaiswal’s bat.
Hasan has another record in sights
Hasan can become the first Bangladesh pacer to bag a fifer against India in India. In 2019, Abu Jayed took four wickets for 108 runs. He will also join Shadat Hossain who is the only pacer to bag a fifer against India in the format. Shahadat took five wickets for 71 runs in 2010.
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