St. John’s, Antigua – Bangladesh’s left-arm spinner Hasan Murad etched his name into the record books with a stunning hat-trick on the rain-interrupted final day of their warmup clash against a struggling West Indies Select XI.
Despite persistent showers truncating play at the Coolidge Cricket Ground, Murad’s late-game heroics ensured the match ended on an unforgettable note, though it ultimately petered out to a draw.
With time running out and the contest heading toward an inevitable stalemate, Murad delivered a breathtaking final-over performance that sparked jubilant celebrations. The wily spinner trapped Daniel Beckford lbw for 19, snapped up Navin Bidaisee with a sharp delivery that rattled the stumps, and sealed his hat-trick by pinning Chaim Holder leg-before with his next ball.
Murad’s remarkable spell yielded three wickets for just one run, leaving the Select XI reeling at 87 for nine in their 27 overs, a woeful response to Bangladesh’s imposing first-day total of 253 for seven declared.
A dismal batting display
The Select XI batters faltered from the outset, resuming the day at five for one and finding no rhythm against Bangladesh’s disciplined bowling attack. The top order crumbled under pressure, with only Kimani Melius (23), the in-form Justin Greaves (20), and Beckford managing to reach double figures.
Melius showed brief promise at the crease, but his dismissal initiated a downward spiral that left the hosts in tatters. None of the remaining batters could muster resistance, as Bangladesh’s bowlers tightened their grip with relentless precision.
Murad’s late fireworks capped a disciplined all-round performance by the visitors’ bowling unit. Hasan Mahmud and Taskin Ahmed each claimed two wickets, exploiting movement off the pitch to dismantle the fragile Select XI line-up.
The persistent showers that plagued much of the day offered brief reprieves for the West Indies side, but the relentless pressure from Bangladesh’s attack ensured there would be no escape.
Lookimg ahead
While the rain ensured an anticlimactic conclusion to the contest, Bangladesh will take immense confidence from their dominant performance ahead of upcoming fixtures. Their disciplined bowling, headlined by Murad’s stunning hat-trick, showcased their depth and readiness to tackle more challenging opponents.
For the West Indies Select XI, the match underscored the critical need for improved batting resilience and mental fortitude as they prepare for future challenges.
