Shoriful Islam Enters Record Books with Historic Seven-Wicket Haul Against Australia

MACKAY: In a display of pace bowling that will be remembered for generations, Bangladesh left-arm pacer Shoriful Islam etched his name into cricket history on the second day of the second Test in Mackay. His breathtaking performance saw him become the first Bangladesh bowler to claim a seven-wicket haul against Australia, as well as the first to achieve such a feat in any Test innings for his nation.

Shoriful’s sensational figures of 7/48 off 15 overs not only marked the best-ever bowling performance by a Bangladeshi pacer in Test cricket but also set a new benchmark for the country’s bowlers away from home, eclipsing the previous record held by Taijul Islam (7/138 against Zimbabwe).

A Lone Warrior in Mackay

The stakes could not have been higher for the visitors. After being skittled out for a paltry 64 in their first innings—largely undone by a lethal Mitchell Starc (6/12)—Bangladesh faced the prospect of a demoralizing collapse. However, Shoriful stepped up to prevent the game from slipping away.

Australia, having resumed the day at 41/3, attempted to stabilize through Steve Smith (42) and Cameron Green (67). The duo put on a crucial 77-run partnership, threatening to build a lead that would put the match beyond reach. Shoriful, however, utilized pace, bounce, and movement to dismantle the batting lineup. He consistently troubled the hosts, eventually reducing them to 148/8 before the tailenders added vital runs.

Shoriful’s crowning moment came when he cleaned up Cameron Green with a pinpoint yorker, sealing his seventh wicket and providing a rare glimmer of hope for the tourists. Australia was eventually bowled out for 210, securing a 146-run first-innings lead.

A Tense Road Ahead

While Shoriful’s heroics provide a morale boost—especially coming shortly after Hasan Mahmud’s record-breaking 6/55 in the Darwin Test—the match remains precariously poised.

After the bowling heroics, Bangladesh’s second innings mirrored their first-day struggles against the Australian pace attack. Mitchell Starc continued his dominance, removing two top-order batters, while Pat Cummins added another to leave Bangladesh at 39/3. With a current trail of 107 runs, Captain Najmul Hossain Shanto (23) and veteran Mushfiqur Rahim (4) carry the heavy burden of keeping the series-levelling hopes alive.

For Bangladesh, the path to recovery is arduous. While Shoriful Islam has provided a legendary individual performance, the team now faces a daunting challenge to withstand Australia’s relentless bowling attack and forge a comeback in the days to come.