Hasan Mahmud’s Historic Six-Wicket Haul Stuns West Indies
The Bangladesh pacer took 6-90 as West Indies were bowled out for 356, setting several milestones during a decisive second day in Sylhet.
In a gripping day of Test cricket at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium, Hasan Mahmud delivered a performance that will be talked about for years. The Bangladesh fast bowler claimed six wickets for 90 runs to bowl West Indies out for 356 on the second day of the second Test, turning a potentially difficult situation into a position of strength for the home side.
What made the spell truly special was not just the number of wickets but the way Hasan rewrote several records in a single afternoon. This was his first five-wicket haul on home soil after previously achieving the feat only in overseas conditions. It also made him the most successful Bangladesh pacer in terms of five-wicket hauls in Test cricket, moving past the previous mark of four. Even more remarkably, he became only the second bowler in the history of the game — after Australia's Nathan Lyon — to take his first five five-wicket hauls in five different countries.
The morning session belonged entirely to Hasan. West Indies had resumed in a strong position, but the introduction of the second new ball changed everything. Hasan removed overnight centurion Aamir Jangoo, who had looked set for a long stay, and then dismissed captain Roston Chase for a golden duck off successive deliveries. The double strike sent a clear message. Later in the innings, he completed his five-wicket milestone in unique fashion when wicketkeeper Litton Das produced a sharp stumping — the first time a Bangladesh fast bowler has taken a Test wicket in this manner. The final wicket of Shamar Joseph sealed figures of 6 for 90 and left West Indies all out for 356.
Hasan's control and late movement stood out throughout the spell. He mixed accurate lines with subtle changes of pace, forcing the batters into errors at key moments. The Sylhet crowd, already vocal, rose to its feet repeatedly as each wicket fell. For a bowler who has steadily grown into Bangladesh's most reliable red-ball seamer, this was the ultimate homecoming performance.
The significance of the achievement goes beyond personal milestones. Bangladesh have often struggled to generate consistent pressure with the new ball at home, especially against quality opposition. Hasan's ability to strike early and then keep coming back for more gave the attack a clear spearhead. His earlier five-wicket hauls in Pakistan, India, Australia and the UAE had already shown his quality away from home. Friday's effort proved he can produce the same impact on familiar pitches as well.
West Indies, who had dominated large parts of the first day, will feel they let a strong position slip. Their lower order showed fight, but the collapse in the middle order after Hasan's double strike proved costly. Bangladesh now have a clear target and the chance to build a solid first-innings total when they begin their reply.
For Hasan Mahmud, the day marked another step in a career that continues to rise. From a promising talent to a bowler capable of scripting history on the biggest stage, his journey has been defined by consistency and quiet determination. On a bright November afternoon in Sylhet, that determination produced one of the finest bowling performances by a Bangladesh pacer in recent memory.
As the Test moves forward, all eyes will remain on whether Bangladesh can capitalise on the opening created by their fast bowler. One thing is already certain: Hasan Mahmud has announced himself as a match-winner capable of producing special spells when his team needs them most.