A momentous occasion unfolded on Friday as Bangladesh’s opening batsman, Tanzid Hasan Tamim, etched his name into the annals of his nation’s cricketing history. The 25-year-old left-hander became the first Bangladeshi batter to achieve a Test century on Australian soil, a significant milestone for the burgeoning cricketing nation. This remarkable feat was accomplished on the second day of the inaugural Test match of the two-game series against Australia, held at the Marrara Cricket Ground in Darwin.
Tanzid’s maiden Test hundred, which came off 188 deliveries, was a crucial response to Australia’s first-day total of 198. His impressive innings concluded at 101 runs from 197 balls, adorned with eight fours and a solitary six, showcasing both his resilience and attacking prowess. This century also marked Bangladesh’s first Test hundred away from home since 2022, when Mahmudul Hasan Joy scored 137 against South Africa in Durban, further highlighting the significance of Tanzid’s performance.
Adding another layer of historical importance, Tanzid’s century is only the second by a Bangladeshi batter against Australia in Test cricket. The previous instance was Shahriar Nafees’s 138 at Fatullah back in 2006. Tanzid’s invaluable contribution propelled Bangladesh past the hosts on the second day, with the visitors reaching 238/3 after 67 overs, establishing a commendable 40-run lead over Australia.
The preceding day had already set a memorable tone for Bangladesh, largely thanks to a career-best bowling performance from Hasan Mahmud. The pacer delivered a sensational spell, claiming 6/55 as Australia was bowled out for 198 in just 53 overs. Hasan’s six-wicket haul surpassed Mohammad Rafique’s 5/62 at Fatullah in 2006, setting a new benchmark for the best bowling figures by a Bangladeshi against Australia in Tests. This exceptional display also contributed to Australia’s lowest Test total against Bangladesh since they were dismissed for 217 in Mirpur in 2017.
Hasan Mahmud’s performance further solidified his growing reputation as a potent overseas bowler. Across 15 Tests, he now boasts three five-wicket hauls, placing him second among Bangladeshi pacers, only behind Shahadat Hossain, who has four in 38 Tests. His ability to consistently take five-wicket hauls in diverse conditions, including India, Pakistan, and now Australia, underscores his adaptability and effectiveness as a fast bowler on the international stage.
Australia’s innings struggled to gain momentum, with no significant partnerships materializing after Travis Head and Jake Weatherald’s 45-run opening stand. The hosts quickly found themselves in a precarious position at 74/4, allowing Bangladesh to seize firm control of the match. While Steve Smith offered some resistance with a well-made 71 off 109 balls, including seven fours and a six, Bangladesh’s bowlers, spearheaded by Hasan Mahmud, continued to make crucial breakthroughs throughout the Australian batting order.
Another significant milestone was achieved by Taskin Ahmed, who became only the sixth Bangladeshi bowler to claim 300 international wickets. He concluded his spell with figures of 2/55, contributing to the team’s strong bowling effort. Taskin’s career now stands at exactly 300 wickets from 204 international matches, featuring 13 four-wicket hauls and three five-wicket performances, maintaining a bowling average above 28. He joins an elite group of Bangladeshi bowlers who have achieved this feat, including Shakib Al Hasan (712 wickets), Mashrafe Mortaza (389 wickets), Mustafizur Rahman (384 wickets), Mehidy Hasan Miraz (369 wickets), and Taijul Islam (302 wickets).
With Tanzid Hasan Tamim’s historic century and the devastating performance of Bangladesh’s pace attack on the opening day, the visitors have established a commanding position early in this pivotal Test match, setting the stage for an enthralling contest.
