Hasan Mahmud Joins Nathan Lyon in Elite Test Club With Sylhet Six-For

Hasan Mahmud has just etched his name into Test history. At Sylhet on November 6, 2026, the Bangladesh pacer produced a blistering 6/90 against West Indies, becoming only the second bowler after Nathan Lyon to claim five-wicket hauls in five different countries.

Mahmud’s Sylhet Spell Turns the Test

The 26-year-old was the star of the day at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium. His figures of 6/90 helped bowl West Indies out for 356 in their first innings.

It was Mahmud’s fifth five-wicket haul in Test cricket and his second six-wicket return in the format. Even better for the home crowd, it was his first five-for on Bangladesh soil.

Key Wickets and Big Moments

Among Mahmud’s victims was Amir Jangoo, who had battled his way to 133. Roston Chase then walked back for a golden duck, and the momentum swung firmly toward the hosts.

There was drama with Joshua Bishop too. An lbw decision was initially given, but it was overturned on review after replays showed an inside edge onto the pad.

Bishop did not survive for long, though. Liton Das completed a stumping behind the stumps, making Mahmud the first Bangladesh pacer to take a Test wicket via a stumping.

Five Five-Fors, Five Countries

This record has been building for a while. Mahmud’s journey began in Rawalpindi in 2024 with 5/43 against Pakistan. Later that year he followed it with 5/83 against India in Chennai.

Then came a huge 2026. He added three more five-fors in three separate countries, rounding out a collection that few bowlers in history could dream of.

A Huge Year for the Bangladesh Pacer

The Darwin performance came during Bangladesh’s historic Test victory over Australia earlier in 2026. Mahmud played a key role in that win.

In October 2026, he also took a hat-trick in the one-off Test against Afghanistan. That made him the first Bangladesh fast bowler to achieve the feat in Test cricket.

The Nathan Lyon Benchmark

Until now, Lyon stood alone with five-wicket hauls in five different countries. The Australian off-spinner’s sequence began in Sri Lanka in 2011 with 5/34 and ended with 5/130 against South Africa in 2014.

Each of those returns came in a different country, a feat that stood as unique in Test history. Mahmud’s 6/90 at Sylhet now places the Bangladesh pacer alongside Lyon in that exclusive company.

Different Bowlers, Different Routes

The two bowlers could hardly be more different. Lyon is a patient spinner, while Mahmud is a fast bowler who thrives on pace and movement.

Mahmud’s five countries are Pakistan, India, Australia, the United Arab Emirates and Bangladesh. That is a different set of five nations from the ones on Lyon’s list.

Why This Record Matters

Taking five wickets in an innings is hard enough at home. Doing it across five countries shows adaptability, with different pitches, conditions, batting line-ups and pressure moments all conquered.

For Bangladesh, the timing is perfect. A win over Australia, a hat-trick against Afghanistan and now a six-for in front of the home fans all point to a pacer in the form of his career.

With West Indies bowled out for 356, the stage is set for Bangladesh to respond. The big question is whether Mahmud can add even more to a record that already sits among the rarest in Test cricket.