Hits century, takes hattrick in a Test
Even though the first Test between Bangladesh and New Zealand ended in a draw, the incredible performance of Shohag Gazi— to hit a century and take a hat-trick— breathed life into the match. Shohag, in fact, attained a singular place in cricket history as no one before him ever scored a century, take a hat-trick and a six wickets in a single test match.A dull draw was imminent on the final day of the test match at Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium on Sunday. Shohag, however, sparkled with a rare brilliance and lend the hosts a pschological edge over New Zealand as he unfolded the art of off-spin to bewitch the Kiwi batsmen.
The build up to the special moment started in the 85th over. Shohag had taken Correy Anderson in the second ball of the over and followed it up with the wicket of first innings centurion Bradley Watling who was foxed by the sudden bounce.
Standing on the brink of history, Shohag went on to complete a hat-trick with a well-disguised arm ball that took the edge of Doug Bracewell’s bat and struck the pad of Mushfiqur Rahim to pop up high. Shakib Al Hasan in the first slip dived forward to take an excellent catch.
A small crowd present in the stadium went berserk as they remained witness to a part of history.
Shohag in fact joined the elite club as the 22nd all-rounder, along with the great cricketers like Sir Garry Sobers, Ian Botham, Imran Khan and Jacques Kallis who hit a century and secured a five-wicket haul in a Test match. This was the 29th instance of making a century and a five-for in a single Test, with only Sobers, Botham and Kallis achieving the feat more than once.
The last man to earn the feat was Shohag’s compatriot Shakib Al Hasan who made it against Pakistan in 2011. Gazi became the 37th bowler to complete a hat-trick, with Australia’s Hugh Trumble and Jimmy Mathews, and Pakistan’s Wasim Akram achieving the accomplishment twice. Leg-spinner Alok Kapali was the other cricketer from Bangladesh to take a hat-trick against Pakistan in 2004.
Shohag completed his century on the fourth day and remained unbeaten on 101 off 161 deliveries.
On the fifth day, the visitors declared their second innings on 287 for seven, stretching their lead to 255. In reply, Bangladesh scored 173 for three in 48.2 overs in the rest of the day’s play. As Shakib Al Hasan reached his half-century, the two captains agreed to call it a day. Tamim Iqbal scored 46 runs.
The match started 30 minutes before the scheduled start to compensate the loss of one hour on the fourth day. The Kiwis took the chance to push for victory, resuming the day with 117 for one. But Shohag Gazi’s immaculate performance with the ball halted their
progress. Shohag tasted blood by trapping Peter Fulton leg-before on 59. He also got rid of Kane Williamson, courtesy a brilliant catch taken by Anamul Haque Bijoy at short leg. Brendon McCullum was his next victim as he tried to be ultra-aggressive. The Kiwis declared their innings just five overs after Shohag’s hat-trick. Ross Taylor remained not out on 54.
-With The Independent input
