Australia Vs Bangladesh First Test: Hasan Mahmud Stars as Bangladesh Dominate Day One
Bangladesh produced an outstanding opening-day performance in the Australia Vs Bangladesh First Test, putting the hosts under serious pressure in Darwin. Hasan Mahmud was the star of the show as his career-best six-wicket haul helped dismiss Australia for just 198 before Bangladesh reached 96/1 at stumps. BBC Sport report
The visitors ended Day 1 trailing Australia by only 102 runs with nine wickets still in hand, leaving the first Test finely poised and giving Bangladesh an excellent opportunity to take control of the match.
Hasan Mahmud Takes Career-Best 6-55
Australia captain Pat Cummins won the toss and decided to bat first at Marrara Stadium, but Bangladesh’s fast bowlers quickly made the decision look questionable. Hasan Mahmud led the attack brilliantly, finishing with figures of 6 wickets for 55 runs. It was his best performance in Test cricket and also the best Test bowling figures by a Bangladeshi bowler against Australia.
Australia initially reached 45 without loss, with Jake Weatherald and Travis Head giving the hosts a reasonable start. Mahmud then removed Weatherald for 23 and soon dismissed Head to begin Australia’s collapse.Marnus Labuschagne struggled for rhythm and managed just one run, while Cameron Green was also dismissed cheaply before lunch. Bangladesh’s disciplined bowling ensured Australia were never able to build a major partnership.
Steve Smith Scores Fighting 71
Once again, Steve Smith was required to rescue Australia’s innings.
The experienced batter survived some difficult moments early in his innings before settling down and providing the only sustained resistance for the hosts. Smith scored 71 runs, comfortably Australia’s highest individual score of the innings.
However, wickets continued to fall around him. Alex Carey and Beau Webster were unable to provide the support Australia needed, while Bangladesh maintained pressure from both ends. Mahmud eventually dismissed Smith before completing his six-wicket haul as Australia were bowled out for 198 in 53 overs.
Bangladesh Make Strong Start With the Bat
- Australia would have hoped their experienced bowling attack could produce a similar collapse when Bangladesh began their innings.
- Mitchell Starc provided the breakthrough by dismissing Shadman Islam, but it proved to be Australia’s only wicket of the final session.
- Tanzid Hasan and Mominul Haque settled into the innings and successfuIf their batterslly negotiated an attack featuring Starc, Cummins, Josh Hazlewood and Nathan Lyon.
- Bangladesh eventually finished the opening day on 96/1, just 102 runs behind Australia’s first-innings total.
Bangladesh Put Australia Under Pressure in Darwin
The opening day could hardly have gone better for Bangladesh.
Bowling Australia out for less than 200 in Australian conditions was a major achievement, particularly against a side containing experienced players such as Smith, Head, Labuschagne and Carey. Australia’s 198 was their lowest completed Test total against Bangladesh, while Mahmud’s six-wicket haul gave the visitors an unexpected early advantage in the contest.
The result also adds to an important month of Test cricket, with the India vs Sri Lanka Test Match Series 2026 also scheduled to take place in August. The hosts will now depend heavily on their bowlers to prevent Bangladesh from building a significant first-innings lead.
Australia Vs Bangladesh First Test Day 1 Score
- Australia: 198 all out
- Steve Smith: 71
- Hasan Mahmud: 6-55
- Bangladesh: 96/1 at stumps
- Bangladesh trail by: 102 runs
- Wickets remaining: 9
Can Bangladesh Create History in Australia?
Bangladesh have put themselves in an excellent position, but there is still plenty of cricket remaining in the Australia Vs Bangladesh First Test.
If their batters can successfully negotiate Australia’s pace attack on Day 2 and secure a meaningful first-innings lead, the pressure on the home side could increase considerably. Australia, meanwhile, will be hoping Starc, Cummins, Hazlewood and Lyon can produce an early breakthrough and bring the hosts back into the contest.
For now, however, Day 1 in Darwin undoubtedly belonged to Bangladesh and Hasan Mahmud.
