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Bangladesh made an impressive start to the Darwin Test, reducing Australia to 74 for four at lunch after winning the toss and opting to field.
Hasan Mahmud struck twice while Ebadot Hossain and Taskin Ahmed took one wicket each as Bangladesh’s disciplined pace attack kept the hosts under pressure throughout the opening session.
Australia began cautiously, with Jake Weatherald and Travis Head negotiating the Bangladeshi pacers in the early overs. Taskin was initially a little expensive, but Hasan and Ebadot maintained tight lines and steadily built pressure.
Hasan finally broke the opening partnership in the 12th over. Weatherald attempted to drive a delivery outside off but lost control, sending the ball high off the bat. Litton Das took a straightforward catch behind the stumps. Weatherald departed for 23 off 37 balls, leaving Australia at 45 for one.
Hasan struck again two overs later, dismissing the dangerous Travis Head. Bowling around the wicket, he produced a delivery that found its way through the gap between Head’s bat and pad and crashed into the stumps. Head made 22 off 39 balls as Australia slipped to 52 for two.
Steven Smith, Australia’s premier batting hope, was given an early reprieve. He was dropped at slip by Tanzid Hasan Tamim off Ebadot when he was on just two. Bangladesh then unsuccessfully reviewed an appeal for a caught-behind dismissal off Ebadot, with UltraEdge showing no contact between bat and ball.
Taskin claimed the fourth wicket late in the session when Cameron Green fell attempting another big shot. Green had hit a six from the previous delivery but failed to control his stroke off the next ball, giving Mushfiqur Rahim a simple catch.
Smith remained unbeaten on seven at lunch, with Australia 74 for four.
Hasan Mahmud had taken two wickets for 25 runs, while Taskin Ahmed claimed one for 26 and Ebadot Hossain one for 17.
Bangladesh will rue the missed opportunities, particularly Smith’s dropped catch and two unsuccessful reviews. Nevertheless, taking four wickets in the opening session of a Test in Australia is an encouraging start for Bangladesh, who are playing a Test on Australian soil for the first time in 23 years.
