Australia suffered a disappointing start to their Test series against Bangladesh in Darwin, collapsing to 198 all out on the opening day. Bangladesh’s pace attack proved highly effective, with Hasan Mahmud delivering an outstanding performance that yielded six wickets for 55 runs—a career-best result. Supporting fast bowlers Taskin Ahmed and Ebadot Hossain contributed two wickets each, combining to exploit favorable bowling conditions and restrict the hosts throughout the day.
The hosts began well after winning the toss, with openers Jake Weatherald and Travis Head putting on an unbeaten 45-run partnership. However, Mahmud’s entry into the attack proved pivotal, removing both opening batsmen to swing momentum decisively toward Bangladesh. From that point, disciplined bowling from the visiting pacemen dominated proceedings, with Australia slipping to 74-4 by lunch and continuing their slide through the afternoon session.
Steve Smith provided the primary resistance for the hosts, compiling 71 runs before being dismissed in the penultimate over. Despite featuring Australia’s full complement of experienced pace bowlers—Josh Hazlewood, Mitchell Starc, and Nathan Lyon reuniting with captain Pat Cummins—the home attack managed only one dismissal as Bangladesh’s batters took control in the evening session. Mominul Haque and Tanzid Hasan combined for an unbeaten 60-run partnership, enabling Bangladesh to reach 96-1 at stumps and reduce their first-innings deficit to 102 runs.
The performance marks a significant turnaround for Bangladesh following their previous Test defeat to Zimbabwe in June. This series represents Bangladesh’s first Test tour of Australia since 2003, while Australia faces an intensive schedule of at least 20 Tests over the coming 12 months, including upcoming tours of New Zealand, South Africa, India, and England.
Article Attribution | Read More at Article Source
Article summary produced by Claude AI