Shoriful Islam delivered the spell of his Test career, but the Bangladesh pacer was quick to shift the focus from his personal milestone to the bigger task ahead.
The left-armer claimed his maiden Test five-wicket haul, finishing with career-best figures of 6-35 as Bangladesh fought back on the opening day of the second Test. Australia reached 165-8 at stumps, leaving them 101 runs ahead after the visitors were dismissed for just 64 in their first innings.
Returning from the hamstring injury that kept him out of the opening Test, Shoriful made an immediate impact. He struck twice in his first over, removing Travis Head and Marnus Labuschagne, before adding Steven Smith, Beau Webster, Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc to his tally.
Despite the dramatic turnaround, Shoriful believes Bangladesh still have plenty of work to do.
“The message in the dressing room was that the game is far from over and our turn to bowl is coming up,” he said after play. “We are still well in the game. InshaAllah, we will try to make sure the entire second innings belongs to us.”
The 25-year-old was pleased with his six-wicket haul but said a victory would mean far more, particularly after Bangladesh lost the previous Test.
“Alhamdulillah, everyone feels good getting their first five-for,” Shoriful said. “But I’ll feel best if we win the match, because we lost that previous one. I’m not overthinking or excessively celebrating just because I got five wickets.”
Fast bowling remained the dominant force throughout the day, with the conditions offering plenty of movement. Shoriful said the wind helped the bowlers generate additional swing.
Bangladesh had earlier suffered from the same conditions as Mitchell Starc tore through their batting with 6-12, leaving them with their fourth-lowest total in Test cricket.
“With the new ball, it was consistently swinging for quite a long time, around 15 to 20 overs. They capitalized on that advantage,” Shoriful said.
He also urged Bangladesh’s batters to respond when they get another opportunity.
Shoriful, who top-scored for Bangladesh with 14 from No. 11, refused to dwell on the collapse.
“It was just a bad day for us,” he said. “Look at them, they are struggling too. Insha’Allah, we will bounce back strongly in the next innings.”
