After a brilliant century from Tanzid Hasan Tamim, Australia continued to suffer till the final ball of the second day of the Darwin Test when Cameron Green failed to hold on to a difficult chance.
Mehidy Hasan Miraz played a cut shot off Marnus Labuschagne, with Green stationed at short point. The Australian fielder got down low and reached the ball, but could not complete the catch. The missed chance summed up a frustrating day for Australia.
Australia’s pace attack came back strongly with the second new ball, with Mitchell Starc and his fellow quicks taking three Bangladesh wickets in quick succession.
Bangladesh went from 297/3 to 308/6, losing three wickets for 11 runs. Najmul Hossain Shanto, who had scored 84, was the first to depart, followed by Litton Kumar Das for a duck. Mushfiqur Rahim was then dismissed for 36.
All three batters were caught in the slip cordon. Josh Hazlewood removed Shanto, Pat Cummins dismissed Mushfiqur, while Mitchell Starc trapped Litton.
After the sixth wicket fell, Bangladesh’s lead stood at 109. Australia appeared to be back in control as their pace trio regained its rhythm. But Miraz and Hasan Mahmud ensured Bangladesh suffered no further batting collapse.
The pair faced 147 balls and added 43 runs to take Bangladesh safely through to the close.
The biggest highlight of the day, however, was Tanzid Hasan Tamim’s century. Playing only his second Test, Tamim produced a confident innings against Australia’s formidable bowling attack on their home soil.
He resumed the day unbeaten on 32 and handled the first-hour challenge well alongside Mominul Haque. The pair added 102 runs to put Bangladesh firmly in control.
Mominul was dismissed for 49 before lunch, narrowly missing what would have been his 29th Test half-century.
After his departure, captain Najmul Hossain Shanto took responsibility and built a significant partnership with the younger Tamim. Their 93-run stand helped Bangladesh take a first-innings lead over Australia for the first time in a Test on Australian soil.
Before being dismissed, Tamim reached his century by driving Nathan Lyon through the off side. He completed the milestone in memorable fashion before being dismissed soon afterwards for 101.
Bangladesh finished the second day on 351 for six, holding a 153-run lead. Miraz was unbeaten on 32 and Hasan on 13 at the end of day 2.
