Afghanistan's 24-year-old star pacer Nijat Masood stormed into cricket's history books on Day 1 of the ongoing one-off Test against Bangladesh in Mirpur on Wednesday (June 14). Masood scripted his dream Test debut for Afghanistan as he equalled Nathan Lyon's record to become just the eighth bowler to snare first-ball wicket on Test debut.
Masood stepped on the rare milestone after dismissing Bangladesh opener Zakir Hasan one first ball of the second over for 1 off 2. Masood's ball found the edge of Hasan's bat which landed straight into the gloves of Afsar Zazai. Notably, Australia's ace spinner Lyon achieved this feat back in 2011 on his Test debut.
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)
Afghanistan won the toss and invited Bangladesh to bat first. Bangladesh got off to a shaky start with Hasan's dismissal in the very second over but Mahmudul Hasan Joy and Najmul Hossain Shanto combined to steady Bangladesh's boat, and together stitched a 212-run partnership to take their team to a commanding position. Till lunch the duo had weaved a 110-run partnership to take team's score to 116/1. They went on to steer Bangladesh, who were lacking the services of Tamim Iqbal and Shakib Al Hasan, to 218 before Hasan Joy fell prey holed out to Ibrahim Zadran off Rahmat Shah's bowling after scoring a brilliant 76 off 137 riding on nine fours. Shanto held the fort on the other hand and went on to belt a scintillating 146 off 175 which was decorated with 23 fours and two maximums. In the 58th over, Shanto was sent to pavilion by Amir Hamza before Masood took his second wicket in Mominul Haque. Litton Das was the next to return to the hut as he was removed by Zahir Khan after scoring 9 off 15.
Meanwhile, as of 68 overs, Bangladesh piled up 317/5 with Mushfiqur Rahim 25 off 45 and Mehidy Hasan 19 off 23 intact on the crease.
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