Hasan Mahmud is often described as an unconventional fast bowler, not due to his technical skills, but because of his temperament. The 26-year-old is known for being remarkably polite, to the point where he occasionally hesitates to celebrate wickets for fear of offending the dismissed batter. Despite this gentle nature, he remains a fierce competitor who thrives on taking wickets. This sense of reverence extends to his interactions with idols; during a recent county stint with Kent, he found himself unable to approach English legend James Anderson, despite his lifelong admiration for the bowler.
This respectful demeanor was on full display at Darwin’s Marrara Oval on Thursday morning. As Hasan prepared to mark his run-up, he noticed Mitchell Starc crossing the pitch to do the same and stepped aside to grant the veteran Australian space. This gesture reflected the broader sentiment of the Bangladeshi squad, who are acutely aware of the significance of this historic tour. Captain Najmul Hossain Shanto had previously emphasized that the team’s primary mission was to earn the respect of their hosts to ensure that future Test tours to Australia would not face another 23-year hiatus. Shanto noted, “If we can play competitive cricket, they’ll definitely invite us again in the future.”
On Thursday, Bangladesh did more than just compete; they effectively schooled the Australians in their own conditions. By the end of the day, the visitors had captured the attention of the cricketing world with one of the most impressive opening-day displays by a touring side in recent memory. It was fitting that Hasan, the soft-spoken seamer, spearheaded the effort, handing the Australian lineup a harsh reality check on a difficult day for Pat Cummins’ side.
While Australia may still recover as the series progresses, the hosts faced immediate scrutiny regarding the form of batters like Marnus Labuschagne and Cameron Green following their early dismissals. However, the narrative of the day belonged entirely to Bangladesh’s disciplined execution. Hasan, alongside pace partners Taskin Ahmed and Ebadot Hossain, utilized a strategy reminiscent of Australia’s own home-soil dominance. Although Hasan rarely exceeds mid-130 km/h speeds, his pinpoint length control and natural skiddiness off the surface consistently pressured the Australian batters.
Hasan’s persistence paid off when he induced an edge from Jake Weatherald and later shattered Travis Head’s stumps with a delivery that skidded through his defenses. Ebadot Hossain proved equally dangerous, frequently targeting the 6-8 meter length that has long been the hallmark of elite Australian pace attacks. Ebadot’s intensity troubled both Head and Steve Smith, though Smith survived an early chance when Tanzid Hasan dropped a low catch at third slip. Smith also survived a controversial DRS review where the Real-Time Snicko showed no spike despite his belief that he had edged the ball. Eventually, Smith’s solitary resistance ended when he attempted a wild shot and became Hasan’s fifth victim of the innings.
Taskin Ahmed provided crucial support, delivering a standout ball to dismiss a well-set Alex Carey, which effectively broke open the Australian innings. The collective discipline shown by the Bangladeshi bowlers ensured that Australia was eventually bowled out for 198. This performance was a testament to the coaching influence of Phil Simmons, whose focus on attention to detail and playing within team limitations was evident throughout the day.
The momentum continued when Bangladesh’s top order took to the crease. Despite pre-match expectations that the Australian pace trio of Starc, Cummins, and Hazlewood would dismantle the visitors, the Bangladeshi batters held firm. Tanzid Hasan and Mominul Haque displayed remarkable grit, mirroring the discipline of their bowling unit. They adopted a strategy of defending with intent while attacking when the opportunity arose, even putting pressure on Nathan Lyon during his first spell since the Adelaide Test last year.
This performance marked a red-letter day for Bangladesh cricket, as they successfully dictated terms on Australian soil for the first time in nearly a quarter of a century. By prioritizing the efficient use of their resources over complex tactical overhauls, the Bangladeshi team left the home side in awe, proving that they are capable of beating Australia at their own game.
There is a certain reverence that comes through in the way the 26-year-old talks about his fast bowling idols and also the way he acts around them.
To the extent that their captain Najmul Hossain Shanto had spoken about how one of the main missions of the tour for his team was to earn the Australian team’s respect so that they’d no longer wait another 23 years to sc
In turn they ended up garnering the attention of the entire cricket world who stood as one to applaud what was one of the finest Day 1 displays from a visiting team on these shores in a long time.
He still of course loves getting them out and thrives on it.
And he stepped away to make room for the veteran Australian pace dynamo with what seemed like a subconscious show of pure respect.
To the extent that their captain Najmul Hossain Shanto had spoken about how one of the main missions of the tour for his team was to earn the Australian team’s respect so that they’d no longer wait another 23 years to schedule their next Test tour here.
Yes, we’ve only had one day of cricket so far in this series and there’s every possibility that Australia might fight back into the contest.
And there is also the fact that the question marks that the hosts had brought into this series with regards to some of their batters — Marnus Labuschagne and Cameron Green in particular — have only become bolder and more ominous after their latest ordinary dismissals.
In lieu of which they managed to wear Australia down in similar fashion to which Australian teams have done to all comers for generations on home soil.
Not quite the quickest, and more in the Michael Neser mode, Hasan rarely even hits the mid 130s with any great regularity.
Like it did with Jake Weatherald on a number of occasions before Hasan finally had his man flashing at a wide-ish delivery outside off-stump.
Ebadot, the tall and angular fast bowler, was probably the most threatening bowler of the lot, and really got under the skin of both Head and Smith as they tried to establish themselves.
He should have had Smith out on 2 as well if Tanzid Hasan had hung on to a low catch at third slip.
But like the other two, Ebadot’s approach was all about slamming the ball on the 6-8 meter length over after over, much like the hall of fame Aussie pace trio do and getting every bit of what was on offer from the surface.
This wasn’t Bangladesh simply competing.
The feeling around Marrara after Australia were bowled out for 198 centred around the kind of damage that Starc, Cummins and Hazlewood would be able to pull off on the Bangladeshi batters.
