Bangladesh’s pace attack stole the limelight on the opening day of the first Test, eclipsing Australia’s famed "Big Four" as the hosts were bowled out for 198 runs. Hasan Mahmud delivered a career‑best performance, claiming six wickets for just 55 runs, and set the tone for a remarkable debut to the Bangladeshi tour of Australia. After the early collapse, Bangladesh’s top order steadied the ship, reaching 96 for one at the close of play and narrowing the first‑innings deficit to 102 runs.
The victory was especially sweet for the visitors, who had suffered a heavy defeat to Zimbabwe in June, losing by an innings and 85 runs. Now, in Darwin, they opened their first Test series on Australian soil since 2003 with a display that suggested they could be serious contenders. Australia’s schedule over the next twelve months is packed with at least twenty Test matches, including tours of New Zealand, South Africa, India and the Ashes series in England, which kicks off at Trent Bridge on 18 June.
After the disappointing start, captain Steve Smith conceded that the performance was "not our best" but remained optimistic. "There’s still plenty of cricket to be played," he said.
"It would have been nice to take a few more wickets, so we hope to start well in the morning, pick up early breakthroughs and put pressure on the opposition." Mahmud’s spell was a masterclass in line and length. He struck in his sixth and seventh overs, dismissing openers Jake Weatherald (23) and Travis Head (22) after Australia had won the toss and surged to 45 without loss on a green‑tinged pitch. Alongside fellow pacemen Taskin Ahmed (2‑55) and Ebadot Hossain (2‑39), Mahmud dominated the first two sessions, exploiting the conditions with disciplined bowling that kept the Australian batting line‑up under constant strain. The only resistance from the hosts came from Smith, who fought back with a defiant 71, hitting seven fours and a six before falling as the second‑last wicket.
He top‑edged a high catch to wicket‑keeper Litton Das, ending his innings after a solid contribution. Pat Cummins, playing his second Test in 13 months, won the toss and fielded with his usual partners Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Starc, while veteran off‑spinner Nathan Lyon completed the renowned "Big Four" attack.
The crowd, enthusiastic about Darwin‑born Weatherald, hoped for a strong start, but Weatherald never settled and was caught off Mahmud’s delivery. Head fell shortly after, bowled around the wicket as Australia slipped to 52‑2. Ebadot Hossain removed Marnus Labuschagne (1) with a catch taken by Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto, and he had a chance to dismiss Smith early, but a slip catch was dropped. By the end of the opening morning, Bangladesh had reduced Australia to 74‑4, with all‑rounder Cameron Green (13) dismissed just before lunch.
After the break, Ebadot claimed Alex Carey (19) and Taskin dismissed Beau Webster (12). Mahmud then took the wickets of Cummins (9) and Starc (1) before finishing the innings in 53 overs, also claiming the scalps of Smith and Lyon.
Despite having their premier pace quartet back together, Australia managed only a single Bangladesh wicket in their reply. Mominul Haque (35) and Tanzid Hasan (32) forged an unbeaten 60‑run partnership, showing that Bangladesh’s batting could hold its own against the Australian attack. Former Australian captain Ricky Ponting, speaking to Channel 7, reflected on the state of Australian cricket: "This has been a very, very successful cricket team, but right now there are a couple of chinks in the armour and the selectors decided to stick with what they know.
At the end of last season I thought the time was right to blood a couple of youngsters in these two Test matches. I said Campbell Kellaway and Ollie Peake were the ones I wanted to have. So they decided not to do that. My worry is, when do they do that?
Are you going to debut these guys in South Africa against Kagiso Rabada and Marco Jansen and co? I think that would be a whole lot harder. So I just feel there's an opportunity here that may have been missed." Bangladesh’s dominant start has set a narrative for the series: a young, hungry side willing to challenge the established order, while Australia must regroup and find the missing pieces in their bowling and batting line‑ups. The next days will test both teams’ adaptability, with the Australian crowd eager for a comeback and the Bangladeshi camp looking to build on the momentum generated by Mahmud’s six‑wicket haul.
For cricket fans worldwide, the series promises a blend of high‑quality pace bowling, resilient batting, and strategic adjustments. As the tour progresses, the performances in Darwin will be scrutinised for clues about how the rest of the Test schedule—spanning New Zealand, South Africa, India and the Ashes—might unfold for the Australian side. Meanwhile, viewers can catch the three‑Test series between England and Pakistan live on Sky Sports Cricket from 19 August, and stream cricket and other sports without a contract via NOW, ensuring that the excitement of international cricket remains accessible to fans everywhere.