Bangladesh took control of the opening day of the Darwin Test against Australia after dismissing the hosts for 198, their lowest total in seven Tests against the South Asian side.
Pacer Hasan Mahmud was the star performer, claiming 6-55 at Marrara Oval, including the key wicket of Steve Smith, who top-scored with 71. Taskin Ahmed and Ebadot Hossain took two wickets each as Australia’s batting line-up struggled on a slow, green-tinged pitch.
Australia, who won the toss and elected to bat, slipped from 45 without loss to 74-4 before being bowled out for 198 in 53 overs. Travis Head scored 22, Jake Weatherald 23, while Cameron Green managed 13.
Bangladesh’s top order responded confidently, with Tanzid Hasan unbeaten on 32 and Mominul Haque on 35 at stumps. The pair shared an unbroken 60-run partnership to leave Bangladesh in a strong position at the close.
Hasan’s six-wicket haul was the third-best by a Bangladesh fast bowler in Test cricket. Mitchell Starc took Bangladesh’s only wicket, dismissing Shadman Islam for 20, while also becoming the leading left-arm bowler in Test history with 434 wickets.
