Darwin, August 13: Hasan Mahmud produced a career-best spell as Bangladesh made a stunning start to the Top End Test series, bowling Australia out for 198 on the opening day of the first Test in Darwin.
The right-arm pacer claimed 6-55 to register his third five-wicket haul in Test cricket, with all three coming away from home. His previous five-wicket hauls were recorded against India and Pakistan.
Australia won the toss and elected to bat on a green-tinged surface, making a brisk start as openers Jake Weatherald and Travis Head took the score to 45 without loss.
However, Bangladesh quickly turned the game around. Mahmud struck in his sixth over to dismiss Weatherald for 23 before returning in the following over to remove Head for 22. Head chopped a delivery onto his stumps as Australia slipped to 52-2.
Hasan Joins Elite List of Bangladesh Pacers
Hasan's latest five-wicket haul moved him into second place among Bangladesh's pace bowlers for the most five-wicket hauls in Test cricket. He now has three such hauls in 15 Tests, with only Shahadat Hossain ahead of him with four in 38 matches.
Robiul Islam and Nahid Rana have two five-wicket hauls each. Notably, all three of Hasan's five-wicket hauls have come overseas, against India, Pakistan and Australia. Bangladesh's pace attack continued to trouble Australia throughout the opening day. Ebadot Hossain removed Marnus Labuschagne for just one and later dismissed Alex Carey for 19, while Cameron Green fell for 13 before lunch.
Australia went into the interval at 74-4, with Bangladesh's quicks maintaining relentless pressure on the hosts. After lunch, Taskin Ahmed dismissed Beau Webster for 12 before Australia captain Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc fell to Hasan ahead of the tea break.
Most 5-fers by BAN pacers in Tests
- 4 - Shahadat Hossain (38 mats)
- 3 - Hasan Mahmud (15 mats)*
- 2 - Robiul Islam (9 mats)
- 2 - Nahid Rana (12 mats)
Smith Resistance Fails as Bangladesh Take Control
Steve Smith provided Australia's only substantial resistance, scoring 71 from 109 balls with seven boundaries and a six. The veteran batter was the penultimate wicket to fall after advancing at Hasan and top-edging a catch to wicketkeeper Litton Das. Hasan then completed his six-wicket haul by removing Nathan Lyon for seven, bringing Australia's innings to an end in just 53 overs. Taskin finished with 2-55, while Ebadot claimed 2-39.
The result gave Bangladesh an impressive start in their first Test in Australia since 2003. The two-match Top End series also marks the beginning of a packed 12-month schedule for Australia, which includes 20 Tests and tours of South Africa, India and England.
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