Bangladesh player Mehdi Hasan Miraj joins elite club after reaching 100 wickets in WTC against Australia

In Darwin, on Australian soil, fast bowler Hasan Mahmud helped Bangladesh realize its hopes for a strong start in the Test match. In the first Test match against Australia, which began on August 13, Mahmud demonstrated outstanding play, leading to the host team being dismissed after scoring only 198 runs. Mahmud himself took 6 wickets, allowing Bangladesh to gain a significant advantage in the first half of the game.

Mahmud took 6 wickets for 55 runs in 17 overs, while bowling 3 maiden overs. This is his third instance in Test cricket history where he has taken five wickets. Furthermore, the figure of 6/55 is one of the top three performances for any fast bowler from Bangladesh in Test matches.

This match in Darwin holds special significance for Bangladesh as it is the first time in 23 years that the team has played Test matches in Australia. Despite losing the toss and starting as the bowling side, their fast bowlers were able to fully capitalize on the conditions.

Mahmud, Taskin Ahmed, and Ibadat Hossain collectively claimed all 10 wickets of the Australian team. This marks the second time in Test cricket history that Bangladeshi fast bowlers have taken all 10 wickets in an innings. A similar feat occurred in a Test match in Rawalpindi in 2024, where Mahmud also took five wickets.

From the beginning of the game, Mahmud did not allow the Australian batsmen to play freely. He forced Jake Weatherald to hit at the moving ball, resulting in the ball deflecting off the edge of the bat. Following this, Travis Head also fell victim to Mahmud's bowling. Mahmud created an angle by pitching the ball around the target and bowled Head out.

The third blow to Australia was delivered by Ibadat Hossain, who caught Marnus Labuschagne at the second slip for just 1 run under the captaincy of Najmul Hossain Shanto. In the first session, Taskin Ahmed dismissed Cameron Green, and Mushafiqur Rahim caught him at mid-wicket with a magnificent jump. Thus, Bangladesh put pressure on Australia even in the first session.

The only strong partnership for Australia was between Steven Smith and Alex Carey, who added 55 runs for the fifth wicket. For a time, it seemed Australia was emerging from the crisis. However, after the drinks break, Ibadat changed the momentum again. His delivery passed through Carey's defense and hit the wicket when the ball deflected off the inside edge. Carey was dismissed, having scored 19 runs.

Subsequently, Taskin Ahmed dismissed Beau Webster with a brilliant Test delivery. The ball drifted slightly, and Webster could not reach it with his bat. Mahmud also continued his destructive performance, dismissing Australian captain Pat Cummins caught by the wicketkeeper for 9 runs. In the next over, Mitchell Starc was dismissed in the same manner. Two major blows to Australia in succession intensified the pressure from Bangladesh.

Steven Smith was the main player for Australia, scoring 71 runs. In his innings of 109 balls, he hit 7 fours and 1 six. Smith's innings temporarily saved Australia from a complete collapse. When Australia's score was 189 for 8 wickets, the team tried to approach 200 runs. At this moment, Mahmud struck again powerfully. Smith attempted to play a slog sweep, but the ball went in the air and was caught. This was Mahmud's fifth wicket. Subsequently, Nathan Lyon also did not last long. He attempted a pull shot, but the ball touched the top edge, and he was caught at mid-wicket. With this wicket, Mahmud reached 6 wickets, and Australia's innings concluded at 198 runs.

The first match of the Test series between Australia and Bangladesh started on August 13 (Thursday) at Marara ground in Darwin. In the initial phase of this Test, Bangladesh's fast bowlers dominated. Hasan Mahmud, Taskin Ahmed, and Ibadat Hossain created difficulties for the top order of the Australian team by utilizing favorable conditions.

However, the most attention was drawn to the unusual way Taskin Ahmed celebrated. This incident occurred in the 22nd over of the Australian innings. When Cameron Green attempted to play the last ball of that over on the left side of the field, the ball did not connect properly with the bat. The ball went towards mid-wicket, where the experienced Mushfiqur Rahim made no mistake in catching it.

After Cameron Green was dismissed, Taskin Ahmed began celebrating in a peculiar style. He stuck out his tongue and danced for several seconds. While teammates headed towards Mushfiqur to celebrate the wicket, Taskin's mannerism was captured by the camera. Video of this moment is quickly spreading on social media.

After a strong start, the Australian team began to lose momentum. Australian captain Pat Cummins decided to start batting after the toss. The opening batsmen played well, scoring 45 runs without loss. However, Bangladesh then powerfully regained its position.

Jack Weatherald, who is from Darwin, received full support from local fans, but he lost his wicket trying to hit a strong delivery bowled by Hasan Mahmud. He scored 23 runs off 37 balls. In the next over, Hasan sent dangerous Travis Head (22 runs) to the pavilion. Head connected with his shots, and Australia's score quickly increased from 45/0 to 52/2.

Ibadat Hossain also put pressure on Bangladesh. He caused Marnus Labuschagne (1 run) to be caught by Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto. Ibadat had the opportunity to dismiss Steve Smith, but his catch in the third slip was missed. Smith took advantage of this chance. Meanwhile, after Green was dismissed shortly before the lunch break, Australia's score reached 74/4. For the Bangladeshi team, which has been on Australian soil for almost two decades, it would be hard to imagine a better start to the session.

Australia fielded a strong attacking lineup. Besides captain Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood were responsible for fast bowling, and experienced off-spinner Nathan Lyon was also in the squad. Cummins is playing in his second Test in the last 13 months.

Before the Test series against Australia, the Bangladeshi team found itself in a difficult position. In a three-day friendly match held at the Maura Cricket Ground in Darwin against Cricket Australia XI, Bangladesh suffered a crushing defeat by one innings and 38 runs.

The team's performance in the lower order caused even greater concern. In the second innings, the Bangladeshi players managed to score only 54 runs, leading to the match concluding before the start of the third day's session, specifically on August 8th.

The main problem for the Bangladeshi players was their inability to cope with fast bowling in the Australian climate. Left-arm fast bowler Campbell Thomson from the Cricket Australia XI made a sensation. The 22-year-old Thomson took 8 wickets for just 25 runs. Notably, Thomson had played only one first-class match in his career.

On the third day, Bangladesh started its second innings, losing two wickets, but this was followed by a rapid succession of wickets, preventing the team from reaching the lunch break. The remaining eight batsmen were dismissed in just 17 overs. Opener Tanzid Hasan scored 22 runs, while no player reached the ten-run mark. Captain Najmul Hossain Shanto was dismissed via LBW without scoring a run. Thomson initially dismantled the core and middle order of the Bangladeshis, taking the first five wickets. Following him, off-spinner Corey Rocchickoli dismissed one batsman. Then Thomson regained control, taking the last two wickets consecutively and ending the Bangladesh innings.

The difficulties faced by the Bangladeshi batsmen were evident in the first innings as well. Although the top order could not play long innings, Mehdi Hasan Miraj, who batted at number seven, scored a hundred, taking the team to 263 runs. In the first innings, Corey Rocchickoli was responsible for putting pressure on the Bangladeshis, taking six wickets. Thus, in both innings of the friendly match, Bangladesh faced challenges against different types of bowling: first off-spin, and then left-arm fast bowling, which damaged the batting order.

Cricket Australia XI scored 355 runs in the first innings, thanks to a century by Tiga Wiley (130 runs). In the first innings, Bangladesh was also impressed by Hasan Mahmud, who took four wickets for 42 runs. After his outstanding performance, Thomson stated: 'Sometimes you are lucky. Today everything was in my favour, which is good. Playing a few days before the Test series against the Test team is a fantastic experience and opportunity.'

With the conclusion of the friendly match, the Bangladeshi team has only four days to work on its weaknesses. The team will begin the first Test against Australia in Darwin on August 13th, and the second match of the series is scheduled for August 22nd in Mackay. Bangladesh's path in the Test series will not be easy, as Australia possesses experienced fast bowlers such as Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins, and Josh Hazlewood.