Bangladesh’s young fast bowler Hasan Mahmud stamped his name on the record books after 14 years during a Test in India against India when he became the first visiting pacer to take 4 wickets on the first day of the test match taking wickets in India since South Africa s Dale Steyn.
Mahmud’s contribution had, however, halted Indian batsman before Ravi Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja took them to 339 for 6 at the closest of the day.
Hasan Mahmud was playing in just his fourth Test match at age 54 and he has returned with figures of 4|58 taking the wickets of Indian captain Sharma (6), Gill (0) Kohli 6 and Pant 39. He also made early and crucial inroads into the Indian innings getting 6 for 9. Of a sudden they were 144 for 6. This is important as after South African Dale Steyn all other visiting fast bowlers have failed to do so on the opening day of a test in India at least since 2006. Also reassuring in this context is Mahmud’s capacity to swing the ball adequately in moderate help in this case.
Due to Ashwin and Jadeja, however, the match shifted back in favour of the Indians despite a poor start. Ashwin remained resilient with the bat recording an impressive 102 not out at the end of play while Jadeja was also not out on 86. One of the major reasons for this was a solid seventh wicket partnership of 195 runs between Mahendra Singh Dhoni and his counterpart’s partners.
Hasan Mahmud, who comes from a farming household in Chattogram, Sara played for the age-level teams of Bangladesh and rose through the ranks. He has received high commendations from the ex-Bangladesh pace coaches Allan Donald and Ottis Gibson.
Addressing the issue of getting rid of the top Indian batsmen in the world, Mahmud said “I’m just happy. Especially when you take their wickets, who are the best right now, naturally one would be happy.”
As Bangladesh continues to challenge India, there are about four days left in that match and Mahmud will be under the radar.
