Expectations for Bangladesh were remarkably low heading into the Darwin Test. A poor showing in the warm-up match, which included an innings defeat and a dismal 54-run collapse, left few observers optimistic about Najmul Hossain Shanto’s side. However, cricket once again proved its unpredictable nature as the visitors turned the tables on the first day of the series.
Australian captain Pat Cummins won the toss and elected to bat at the Marrara Stadium. Despite the moisture on the pitch, the Bangladeshi pace attack exploited the conditions masterfully. By the close of play, the tourists had restricted the hosts to 198 all out and responded with a solid batting display, reaching 96/1. Bangladesh currently trails by 102 runs, with Mominul Haque (35*) and Tanzid Hasan (32*) anchoring the crease. Shadman Islam was the only wicket to fall, dismissed for 20.
Hasan Mahmud was the undisputed star of the day, delivering a career-best performance of 6/55. This stands as the finest bowling display by a Bangladeshi bowler against Australia. His destruction began late in the first hour when he removed opener Jack Weatherald for 23, ending a 45-run partnership. In his very next over, he bowled Travis Head for 22, significantly increasing the pressure on the Australian lineup.
Ebadot Hossain Chowdhury and Taskin Ahmed also contributed to the collapse. Ebadot produced a brilliant delivery to induce a catch from Marnus Labuschagne, while Cameron Green fell to a catch at short mid-wicket just before lunch. Although Australia reached the break at 74/4, the session could have been even better for Bangladesh had Tanzid Hasan not dropped a chance offered by Steven Smith when the batter was on just two.
Smith capitalized on his reprieve, anchoring the innings with a gritty 71. He shared a 55-run stand—the highest of the innings—with Alex Carey. Ebadot broke that partnership immediately after the second session’s water break, bowling Carey for 19. Taskin then removed Beau Webster, who was cleaned up by a sharp delivery outside the off-stump.
Hasan returned to dismantle the tail during his new spell, dismissing Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc in consecutive overs. Australia entered the tea break at 182/8. The final session lasted less than five overs, as Hasan induced a catch from Smith and subsequently removed Nathan Lyon to wrap up the Australian innings at 198 in just 53 overs. This marks Hasan’s third five-wicket haul in Tests, following similar feats against Pakistan and India.
This performance was historic for the Bangladeshi pace unit, as Taskin and Ebadot claimed two wickets each, meaning all ten Australian wickets were taken by seamers. This is only the second time in Test history that Bangladesh’s pacers have accounted for an entire opposition lineup, the first being against Pakistan in 2024. Furthermore, this 198-run total is Australia’s lowest Test score against Bangladesh, eclipsing the 217 they managed in Mirpur back in 2017.
Bangladesh’s response with the bat was equally encouraging. Although Tanzid Hasan survived a scare in the second over when Nathan Lyon failed to hold onto a difficult chance off Mitchell Starc, he settled in to play aggressively. Starc eventually claimed the wicket of Shadman Islam in the ninth over, but Mominul and Tanzid ensured no further damage occurred. The pair remains unbeaten, having already added 60 runs to the total, providing a sense of relief and optimism as the day concluded.
