Tigers pacers rock Australia in opening session

Hasan Mahmud struck twice, while Ebadot Hossain and Taskin Ahmed picked up one wicket apiece as Bangladesh reduced Australia to 74-4 at lunch on Day 1 of the opening Test of the two-match series at Marrara Stadium in Darwin on Thursday.

After Australia’s openers had negotiated the first 11 overs and appeared set to lay a solid foundation, Hasan, the most threatening of Bangladesh’s pacers in the opening session, struck twice in successive overs to reduce the hosts to 52-2 after 14 overs.

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Jake Weatherald had looked determined to hold one end together. He picked up four boundaries but never appeared entirely comfortable and eventually succumbed to a delivery that moved away from him in the 12th over. The left-hander chased a wide delivery without getting fully behind his drive and edged it through to wicketkeeper Litton Das. Weatherald made 23 off 37 balls.

At the other end, the aggressive Travis Head had been playing with greater freedom. He began to open up after the first drinks break, but his counterattack was short-lived. Soon after hitting Hasan for a boundary, he was back in the pavilion in the 14th over.

Bowling around the wicket, Hasan used his length to put Head in two minds. The left-hander dragged a delivery back onto his stumps and was bowled for 22 off 39 balls.

Bangladesh were then left to rue a missed opportunity in the 17th over when Tanzid Tamim dropped dangerman Steven Smith, on two, at slip.

However, Ebadot kept hitting the good lengths and it eventually paid dividends as he managed to removeMarnus Labuschagne for just one in the 19th over. The right-arm pacer found the outside edge with a length delivery outside off that angled in slightly, with Labuschagne attempting to fend without much footwork. The edge lobbed towards second slip, where Shanto took a low catch.

Bangladesh’s excellent opening session was capped by another wicket at the stroke of lunch, with Taskin dismissing Cameron Green. 

Taskin bowled a short-of-good-length delivery that angled into Green, who reached well in front of his body to meet it. The bat turned in his hands and the ball popped up towards Mushfiqur Rahim. Green departed for 13, giving Bangladesh four wickets in an impressive opening session. 

Smith, meanwhile, remained unbeaten on seven.  

Hasan strikes twice, removes Aussie openers

Right-arm quick Hasan Mahmud struck twice as Bangladesh removed both Australia openers in the first session on Day 1 of the opening Test of the two-match series between the sides at Marrara Stadium in Darwin on Thursday.

After a cautious start, Australia’s openers were beginning to settle in and threaten a solid platform, but Hasan had other plans. He removed both openers in successive overs as Australia were reduced to 52-2 after 14 overs.

Jake Weatherald had looked determined to hold one end together. He picked up four boundaries but never appeared entirely comfortable and eventually succumbed to a delivery that moved away from him in the 12th over. The left-hander chased a wide delivery and failed to get fully behind his drive, edging it through to the wicketkeeper Litton Das. He managed 23 runs off 37 balls. 

At the other end, the aggressive Travis Head had been playing with greater freedom. He began to open up after the first drinks break, but his counterattack was short-lived. Soon after hitting Hasan for a boundary, he was back in the pavilion in the 14th over.

Bowling around the wicket, Hasan had Head caught in two minds with his length. The left-hander dragged a delivery back onto his stumps and was bowled for 22 off 39 balls.

Bangladesh were then left to rue a missed opportunity in the 17th over when Tanzid Tamim dropped dangerman Steven Smith, on two, at slip.

Tigers to field first 

Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto lost the toss, and the Tigers were asked to field first in the opening Test of the two-match series against Australia at Marrara Stadium in Darwin on Thursday.

This will be Bangladesh’s first Test on Australian soil in 23 years. The Tigers played their first Test series in Australia in 2003, when they were just three years into their Test journey, and lost both matches by an innings in Darwin and Cairns.

Bangladesh have gone with three pacers and two spinners, with Taskin Ahmed leading the pace attack alongside Hasan Mahmud and Ebadot Hossain. Mehidy Hasan Miraz and Taijul Islam make up the spin department.

At the top of the order, Tanzid Hasan and Shadman Islam will open, with experienced campaigner Mominul Haque coming in at three. Shanto will bat at four and will be key if the Tigers are to stand a chance against an Australian side currently sitting atop the World Test Championship (WTC) standings.

Since January 2025, Shanto has scored the most Test runs for Bangladesh, closely followed by veteran Mushfiqur Rahim, who will play a Test in Australia for the first time in his 21-year international career.

Litton Das, who raced against time to make a remarkable recovery, has also made the XI and will bat at six and keep wickets. Litton was not included in the initial squad but recovered swiftly and joined the team in Darwin. He missed the practice match but passed his fitness test to feature in the opening Test.

Miraz is the last recognised batter before the tail begins.

Bangladesh will have to play out of their skin if they are to make this trip Down Under memorable. Their only tour match offered little encouragement though, as the Tigers suffered an innings-and-38-run defeat to a Cricket Australia XI. They were bowled out for just 54 in the second innings, with Mehidy Hasan Miraz’s unbeaten century the lone bright spot. Both the batting and bowling departments raised concerns ahead of the opening Test.

For Australia, there is no surprises as they named their XI way before the start of the match. Two left-handers will open, with destructive Travis Head partnering the more vigilant Jake Weatherald. Marnus Labuschagne retains his position at three, followed by Steven Smith at four, Cameron Green, Alex Carey and Beau Webster before the bowlers come in.

Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood lead one of the most daunting attacks in red-ball cricket, with Green and Webster offering additional seam options. Nathan Lyon will shoulder the sole spin responsibilities.

Bangladesh XI: Tanzid Hasan, Shadman Islam, Mominul Haque, Najmul Hossain Shanto (c), Mushfiqur Rahim, Litton Das (wk), Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Taijul Islam, Taskin Ahmed, Ebadot Hossain, Hasan Mahmud

Australia XI: Travis Head, Jake Weatherald, Marnus Labuschagne, Steven Smith, Cameron Green, Alex Carey (wk), Beau Webster, Pat Cummins (c), Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood