Meet Alok Kapali: Bangladesh's First-Ever Hat-Trick Hero

Alok Kapali with the Bangladesh team [Source: @ICC/X]Hasan Mahmud etched his name into Bangladesh cricket history on October 11 after claiming a hat-trick against Afghanistan in the ongoing one-off Test. The right-arm pacer produced a sensational spell to dismantle the Afghan middle order. However, Mahmud is not the first Bangladeshi bowler to achieve the feat in international cricket. That distinction belongs to Alok Kapali, who created history against Pakistan in 2003 with a remarkable spell of leg-spin bowling.Alok Kapali became Bangladesh's first Test hat-trick hero in 2003Alok Kapali became the first Bangladeshi cricketer to claim a Test hat-trick during the second Test against Pakistan at Peshawar in August 29, 2003. Just 19 years old at the time, the leg-spinner achieved the milestone on August 30, helping Bangladesh dismiss Pakistan for 295 in their first innings.Kapali's achievement came at a crucial stage of the innings, when Pakistan were attempting to build a substantial lead. He finished with remarkable figures of three wickets for just three runs from 2.1 overs, making his contribution one of the most crucial of the match.ALSO READRahmat Shah Joins Virat Kohli, Shubman Gill In Special List After 4th Test CenturyHow did Alok Kapali take his historic hat-trick?Kapali's hat-trick was particularly memorable because he relied on his variations to remove three Pakistani batters in succession. His first victim was Shabbir Ahmed, who attempted to drive a delivery but could only send it towards mid-off, where Mashrafe Mortaza completed the catch.The next delivery brought another breakthrough. Kapali bowled a flipper to Danish Kaneria, who left the ball alone. However, it struck him on the back leg, prompting a strong appeal for leg-before-wicket (LBW). The hat-trick was completed in Kapali's next over, as Umar Gul became his third consecutive victim. Another flipper struck Gul on the back pad in front of the off stump, and the umpire upheld the LBW appeal once again.With three wickets falling across consecutive deliveries, Kapali became the first Bangladeshi bowler to claim a Test hat-trick.Alok Kapali's career beyond the historic featBorn in Sylhet on January 1, 1984, Kapali represented Bangladesh as an all-rounder, combining right-handed batting with leg-spin bowling. He played 17 Tests and 69 ODIs for the national side, scoring 584 and 1,235 runs, respectively and taking a total of 32 international wickets.Although his international career did not reach the heights initially expected of him, Kapali remained a notable figure in Bangladesh cricket after retiring in 2011. His historic hat-trick against Pakistan, however, ensured that his name would always be remembered as the country's first Test hat-trick hero.ALSO READMahedi Hasan Makes Strong Case For Bangladesh Test Debut With Six-Wicket Haul