Naseem Shah takes Pakistan closer to win

History was made on Sunday when Naseem Shah, the 16-year-old right-arm pacer, became the youngest bowler to record a hattrick in Test cricket on day three of the first Test between Pakistan and Bangladesh at the Pindi Cricket Stadium. 

Naseem turned the match on its head as he accounted for the wickets of Najmul Hossain Shanto (38), Taijul Islam (0) and Mahmudullah (0) after he was recalled into the attack by Pakistan captain Azhar Ali in the final minutes of the evening session.

Naseem recorded the hattrick in the last three balls of the 41st over as Bangladesh slipped from 124 for two to 124 for five. The pacer had broken a 39-run opening stand between Saif Hassan (16) and Tamim Iqbal (34) earlier in the day.

At the close of play, Bangladesh were 126 for six with another 86 runs remaining to avoid an innings defeat.

Yasir Shah was the other Pakistan bowler who was amongst the wicket-takers with two scalps.

Bangladesh looked to have found the rhythm after the dismissal of their openers as Najmul and captain Mominul Haque, who batted at 37 not out, put a 71-run partnership.

But, bowling second over in his last spell of the day, Naseem gave hosts a firm grip on the match before he left the field with a niggle in his left rib after bowling two balls of his ninth over.

Earlier, Pakistan were bowled out for 445.

Resuming his innings at 143, Babar Azam was out first ball. Asad Shafiq added only five runs to his overnight score to be dismissed at 65 as a flurry of early wickets lightened up the contest.

Haris Sohail, batting at six, scored his second half-century in Test cricket to help Pakistan set a lead of 212 runs. The left-handed batsman scored 75 runs and struck seven fours and two sixes.

Bangladesh’s pacers Abu Jayed and Rubel Hossain finished with three wickets each, while left-arm orthodox Taijul Islam took two wickets.

Mominul and Liton Das will resume Bangladesh’s innings on Monday on what will be the fourth day of the match.