Bangladesh Dominates Day 1: Australia's Post-Ashes Return Stumbles in Darwin!
Bangladesh Dominates Day 1: Australia's Post-Ashes Return Stumbles in Darwin!
Bangladesh stuns Australia on Day 1 of the first Test in Darwin, bowling out the hosts for just 198. Hasan Mahmud's career-best 6-55 leaves Australia reeling in their first match since the Ashes triumph. Don't miss the h
Cricket fans witnessed a sensational turn of events on the opening day of the first Test between Australia and Bangladesh in Darwin. Bangladesh's bowlers completely overshadowed Australia's much-anticipated return, with paceman Hasan Mahmud delivering a career-best performance of 6-55 to dismiss the hosts for a mere 198 runs.
Demonstrating that their early success wasn't just due to the pitch conditions, Bangladesh’s top-order batters also showed resilience, reaching 96-1 by stumps. This impressive display cut their first-innings deficit to just 102 runs, putting them in a commanding position.
The day had initially started positively for Australia after skipper Pat Cummins won the toss and elected to bat. The team, fresh off a 4-1 Ashes triumph over England, saw openers Jake Weatherald (23) and Travis Head (22) build a 45-run partnership without loss on a green-tinged wicket. However, the momentum shifted dramatically when Hasan Mahmud struck, removing both openers in quick succession.
From that point, Hasan, supported by fellow fast bowlers Taskin Ahmed (2-55) and Ebadot Hossain (2-39), dominated the first two sessions. Their disciplined bowling exploited the surface, leaving Australia's batting lineup struggling. Steve Smith, with a gritty 71 off 109 balls, was the only Australian batter to offer significant resistance, featuring seven boundaries and a six. He was the ninth wicket to fall, top-edging a high catch to wicketkeeper Litton Das off Hasan.
Making only his second Test appearance in 13 months, Captain Cummins reunited the pace attack with Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Starc, alongside veteran off-spinner Nathan Lyon. Despite a partisan home crowd cheering on Darwin-born Weatherald, he looked unsettled and eventually swiped at a wide delivery from Hasan. Head followed in Hasan’s very next over, chopping a delivery onto his stumps, leaving Australia at a precarious 52-2. Ebadot Hossain later removed Marnus Labuschagne for just 1 run, caught by Bangladesh skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto, further highlighting Australia's batting woes.
