It was a field day for bowlers on Day 1 of the second Test between Australia and Bangladesh as left-arm seamers Mitchell Starc and Shoriful Islam ruled the roost in Mackay.
As many as 18 wickets fell on the opening day, with Starc blowing away the visitors with his exceptional spell. He picked up a wicket off the first ball of the Test, dismissing Shadman Islam to make this the fourth time that he struck off the first ball of a Test match, the most in the history of the format. Pedro Collins did so thrice.
Having created history in Darwin by beating Australia, Bangladesh were confident coming into this Test. But Starc returned with magical figures of 6-12 to leave the opposition reeling.
At 39-9, Bangladesh were in danger of being bundled out for their lowest ever score in Test cricket. Their number 11 batter, Shoriful Islam, who was included in the line-up at the expense of Ebadot Hossain, top-scored with 14 runs. He also added 25 for the last wicket with Taijul Islam, the highest partnership in the innings, as they were ultimately skittled for 64, their fourth-lowest total in Tests.
Bangladesh’s lowest totals in Test cricket history
Total | Opposition | Venue | Date |
43 | West Indies | North Sound | July 4, 2018 |
53 | South Africa | Durban | March 31, 2022 |
62 | Sri Lanka | Colombo (PSS) | July 3, 2007 |
64 | Australia | Mackay | August 22, 2026 |
80 | South Africa | Gqeberha | April 8, 2022 |
Mitchell Starc 🤝 Shoriful Islam
— Wisden (@WisdenCricket) August 22, 2026
The duo were absolutely unplayable on the opening day of the second Test 🔥
Australia are 165-8 at stumps, leading by 101 runs at Mackay.#AUSvBAN pic.twitter.com/mw07VIIjkK
Starc put Australia in front, but Shoriful kept Bangladesh in the game
At this stage, Australia would’ve thought of strengthening their grip on this Test by stumps. But Bangladesh stayed in the game with another day of fast-bowling brilliance. Taskin Ahmed started the proceedings by sending the returning Matt Renshaw back, before Shoriful took over.
The left-arm quick had Travis Head chop on, before extending Marnus Labuschagne's lean run. A 77-run stand between Steve Smith and Cameron Green put Australia ahead in the game, and left Bangladesh in danger of losing control of the match on the first day itself.
But Shoriful triggered an Australian collapse, starting with a contentious LBW decision against Smith. The hosts went from 118-3 to 148-8 in the space of 44 deliveries, and finished the day of this historic first Test in Mackay at 165-8, holding a 101-run lead, with Cameron Green (51*) and Nathan Lyon (10*) still at the crease.
Although Hasan Mahmud, the hero of the last Test, struggled, Shoriful kept Bangladesh in contention for a series whitewash over Australia. His clinical returns of six for 35 in 11 overs prevented Australia from seizing control, while also creating history - he became the first No.11 to both top-score with the bat and claim the most wickets in the same innings of a Test.
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