Australia managed to enjoy only one of the six sessions across two days — the final session of day two, when they took three of Bangladesh’s five wickets to fall. Beyond that, the Darwin Test has belonged entirely to Bangladesh.
A maiden century, a near-century innings, a century partnership and another partnership approaching three figures made Bangladesh’s batting performance as commanding as their bowling on day one. After Hasan Mahmud’s fiery spell bowled Australia out for 198 on day one, Bangladesh reached 351 for 6 at stumps on day two, building a lead of 153. Australia were clearly not prepared for anything like this in Darwin. At the day’s press conference, Australian cricketer Beau Webster credited Bangladesh’s effort.
The main architects of Bangladesh’s dominant day were opener Tanjid Hasan and captain Nazmul Hossain. Playing only his second Test, Tanjid scored his maiden century — 101 off 197 balls — becoming the first Bangladeshi batter to score a Test hundred on Australian soil. Nazmul fell 16 short of his own hundred, but his 84 off 126 balls played a crucial role in another strong day for Bangladesh.
Nazmul came to the crease when Bangladesh’s innings was already in full flow. Mominul Haque was caught behind off Josh Hazlewood, falling one run short of fifty while trying to hit a delivery well outside off stump. But before departing, Mominul had put on 102 for the second wicket with Tanjid, laying the foundation for Bangladesh’s total beyond 350.
With the score at 138 for 2 on a still batting-friendly wicket, Nazmul’s task was to build another substantial partnership with Tanjid and play a big innings himself. He succeeded on both counts. He reached his fifty off just 74 balls, shortly before Tanjid completed his century. The third-wicket pair added 93 before Tanjid’s dismissal.
Nazmul has converted 9 of his 15 previous Test fifties into centuries. When he reached fifty, the anticipation of another hundred was palpable. But Hazlewood, with the new ball, found extra bounce outside off stump. Nazmul edged to Steve Smith at slip, ending a 98-ball, 66-run stand with Mushfiqur Rahim.
Nazmul’s departure at 297 triggered a mini-collapse. Within five overs, Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc removed Litton Das and Mushfiqur Rahim, taking Bangladesh from 297 for 3 to 308 for 6.
With much of the day’s play remaining, it seemed Bangladesh might be bowled out. Only Mehidy Hasan Miraz remained among recognized batters, with the tail yet to come.
But Hasan Mahmud, who took 6 wickets with the ball, batted with the composure of a specialist alongside Miraz. Their unbroken seventh-wicket stand of 43 runs in 24.3 overs denied Australia any further success and ensured Bangladesh batted through to stumps.
Miraz finished the day unbeaten on 32 off 73 balls, while Hasan’s unbeaten 16 off 76 deliveries caused immense frustration for the Australian bowlers. Even sledging failed to break the pair’s concentration.
Brief scores: Bangladesh first innings: 351/6 in 110 overs (Tanjid 101, Nazmul 84, Mominul 49, Mushfiqur 36, Miraz 32*, Hasan 13*; Starc 2/68, Hazlewood 2/68, Cummins 1/50). Australia first innings: 198. Day two stumps.
বাংলায় মূল প্রতিবেদন পড়ুন · Read the original Bengali report