Pakistan vs Bangladesh: 16-year-old Naseem Shah becomes youngest to take Test hat-trick

Pakistan paceman Naseem Shah claimed a hat-trick in the final session of day three against Bangladesh.

The bowler, who is 16 years and 359 days young became the youngest to take Test hat-trick. His hat-trick helped his side slice through Bangladesh's middle-order as the hosts took full control of the Rawalpindi Test on Sunday.

Naseem Shah was supposed to be part of the ICC U19 World Cup in South Africa but was pulled out of the squad to give someone else an opportunity.

Naseem Shah also is the first bowler from Pakistan to take a Test hat-trick since Mohammad Sami bagged one in the Lahore Test against Sri Lanka in March 2002. He finished the day with 4/26.

Najmul Hossain Shanto
Taijul Islam
Mahmudullah

Hat-trick for Naseem Shah!  #PAKvBAN pic.twitter.com/dVlKZUP9Zl

— ICC (@ICC) February 9, 2020

In the first two sessions, both teams made sure to give their all, however, Pakistan soon bounced back with crucial scalps to reduce Bangladesh to 126/6, trailing the hosts by 86.

After bowling Pakistan out in the second session, Bangladesh lost opener Saif Hassan(16) to Naseem before reaching tea.

Shortly after the break, Yasir Shah dismissed experienced batsman Tamim Iqbal, lbw for 34. Najmul Hossain and skipper Mominul Haque steadied the proceedings after losing their openers and the duo shared an important 71-run stand before Naseem changed the game.

He first trapped Najmul for 38 before dismissing Taijul Islam in a similar fashion and finally, snared the wicket of Mahmudullah to complete his hat-trick.

Naseem turned the match on its head as he accounted for the wickets of Najmul Hossain Shanto (38), Taijul Islam (0) and Mahmudullah (0) after he was recalled into the attack by Pakistan captain Azhar Ali in the final minutes of the evening session.#PAKvBAN https://t.co/OVtGEsQIcl pic.twitter.com/ubE0MLUvQx

— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) February 10, 2020

Earlier, Bangladesh gave a good fight after centuries from Shan Masood and Babar Azam helped Pakistan finish the previous day on 342/3, with a lead of 109.