Rahmat Shah Makes History With Century on Test Captaincy Debut Against Bangladesh

Afghanistan batter Rahmat Shah marked his Test captaincy debut with a historic century against Bangladesh in the one-off Test at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi on Sunday, becoming the first Afghan player to score a hundred on his Test captaincy debut.

Shah scored 105 off 216 balls, striking 10 fours and two sixes, as Afghanistan fought back in reply to Bangladesh’s first-innings total of 346. His innings provided the backbone of Afghanistan’s batting effort, although the visitors were eventually bowled out for 240, conceding a lead of 106 runs.

Shah took over as Afghanistan’s Test and ODI captain from Hashmatullah Shahidi in July this year. His first assignment in the Test format brought an immediate milestone.

Opener Abdul Malik contributed 62 off 120 deliveries, while wicketkeeper-batter Ikram Alikhil scored 32 from 103 balls. However, Afghanistan’s lower order could not withstand Bangladesh’s pace attack.

Fast bowler Hasan Mahmud delivered a standout performance, claiming a hat-trick and finishing with a five-wicket haul. Fellow pacer Ebadot Hossain supported him with four wickets.

Mahmud became the first Bangladesh fast bowler to take a hat-trick in Test cricket and the third player from the country to achieve the feat in the format. Before him, leg-spin all-rounder Alok Kapali took a hat-trick against Pakistan in 2003, while off-spinner Sohag Gazi achieved the milestone against New Zealand in 2013.

Mahmud also completed his five-wicket haul by dismissing Yamin Ahmadzai for an 11-ball duck. In the process, he reached 50 Test wickets, becoming the fastest Bangladesh pacer to reach the milestone, as Afghanistan’s innings ended at 240.

Earlier, Bangladesh had posted 346 in their first innings, with Tanzid Hasan Tamim scoring 83, Shadman Islam making 67 and Litton Das contributing 53. All three batters registered half-centuries.

For Afghanistan, Mohammad Saleem Safi led the bowling effort with four wickets for 82 runs. Yamin Ahmadzai claimed three for 79, Ismat Alam took two for 20, and Qais Ahmad finished with one for 60.