Darwin, August 13, 2026:
Fast bowler Hasan Mahmud produced a career-best Test performance with six wickets as Bangladesh dismissed Australia for 198 before reaching 96-1 at stumps on the opening day of the first Test at Marrara Stadium on Thursday.
Hasan returned figures of 6-55 from 17 overs, including the wickets of Travis Head, Jake Weatherald and Steve Smith, to lead Bangladesh’s attack in Darwin’s first Test match in 23 years.
Bangladesh finished the day 102 runs behind Australia with nine first-innings wickets in hand. Tanzid Hasan was unbeaten on 32 and Mominul Haque on 35 after the pair put on an unbroken 60-run partnership for the second wicket.
Hasan said Bangladesh’s bowlers recognised early that conditions offered them an opportunity after Australia won the toss and elected to bat.
“Early on, the conditions were very good for the bowlers,” Hasan said. “The way the boys started was pretty awesome. We kept bowling with discipline, focused on our line and length and followed the captain’s plans.”
The 26-year-old credited the collective effort of Bangladesh’s attack and the support he received in the field.
“All the wickets are very special,” Hasan said. “The energy of the team from the morning and everyone’s effort on the ground was important. I definitely give credit to my teammates.”
Hasan said the surface was soft early and offered seam movement, allowing Bangladesh’s quicks to maintain pressure through sustained spells.
“The wicket was a little soft in the morning and there was seam movement,” he said. “Our plan was to bowl with discipline and in partnerships. Taskin bowled really well from one end and ultimately we were able to build pressure.”
Smith provided Australia’s main resistance with 71 from 109 balls, but Hasan eventually removed the former Australia captain as his fifth wicket. Hasan said Smith’s dismissal was the most memorable of his six.
“I would definitely say Smith’s wicket,” Hasan said. “My instinct told me he was going to do something, so I bowled the bouncer.”
Hasan also removed Weatherald for 23 and Head for 22 before returning later in the innings to dismiss Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Smith and Nathan Lyon. Taskin Ahmed and Ebadot Hossain claimed two wickets each as Australia was bowled out in 53 overs.
Hasan said a recent stint in English county cricket helped him adapt quickly to the conditions in northern Australia.
“I was in England playing county cricket and I found the conditions here quite similar to England,” Hasan said. “I got six wickets in Blackpool as well, so I took that experience and brought it here. It gives you confidence.”
Bangladesh’s preparation also included detailed planning on how to attack Australia’s batters with the new ball.
“We had a chat with our analysts before the game about how we wanted to start,” Hasan said. “I was using the crease, going over and around the wicket. If the ball was moving, I changed the side I was bowling from to see how it went. That’s how you try to create chances with the new ball.”
The six-wicket haul was Hasan’s best performance in Test cricket, improving on his previous best of 5-43. He has now taken 42 wickets in 14 Tests, with three five-wicket hauls. His previous five-wicket performances came against Pakistan and India.
Hasan said succeeding against another of the world’s leading Test sides made the achievement particularly satisfying.
“It’s a very good achievement for me,” he said. “I’ve now got five-wicket hauls against some of the best teams in the world. I want to continue this. There will be more challenges and more games ahead, so I will just focus on that.”
Hasan also relished competing against an Australian attack featuring Cummins, Starc, Josh Hazlewood and Nathan Lyon, players he had watched during his development as a fast bowler.
“I’ve been following them since I started playing cricket,” Hasan said. “Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins and Hazlewood — I’ve watched those fast bowlers for a long time. I was pretty happy to see them in front of me and to play against them. It’s a huge experience for me.”
Hasan said Bangladesh’s focus was now on extending the partnership and establishing a first-innings lead.
“We started very well,” he said. “Unfortunately, Shadman couldn’t carry on, but the partnership we have now is going well. If we can continue it, hopefully we can build a good first innings.”
