'More than England managed during Ashes': Cricket World reacts as Bangladesh dominate Australia on Day 2 in Darwin Test originally appeared on Cricket News. Add Cricket News as a Preferred Source by clicking here. KEY TAKEAWAYS:
Bangladesh dominated Australia on Day 2 of the Darwin Test to lead by 153 runs. Tanzid Hasan scored his maiden Test century in Bangladesh's first innings in Australia for 23 years. Fans hailed the Tigers' batting display as one of the finest days in their cricketing history.
Bangladesh managed to do more against Australia than England in the Ashes Bangladesh have produced one of the standout performances of their Test history, dominating Australia across the opening two days of the Darwin Test. Having bowled the hosts out cheaply on Day 1, the Tigers seized control with the bat to leave the cricket world in awe. At stumps on Day 2, Bangladesh were 351 for 6, a commanding lead of 153 runs over an Australia side skittled for just 198 in their first innings. It represents a stunning turnaround for a team that had not played a Test in Australia in 23 years. The foundation was laid by Tanzid Hasan, who curbed his natural white-ball instincts to compile a patient maiden Test century. Playing only his second Test, the opener batted for more than five hours, striking eight fours and a six in a disciplined 197-ball stay. MORE: Full list of Bangladesh batters to score century in Australia: Tanizd creates history Bangladesh dominate Australia on Day 2 of Darwin Test Tanzid's hundred was built on a series of solid partnerships, the hallmark of Bangladesh's innings. He added 102 for the second wicket with Mominul Haque, then 93 for the third with captain Najmul Hossain Shanto to wrest control of the contest. Shanto contributed a fluent fifty and shared a further 66-run stand with the experienced Mushfiqur Rahim. Late in the day, Mehidy Hasan Miraz and Hasan Mahmud extended the advantage with an unbroken 43-run stand for the seventh wicket, leaving Australia's vaunted attack toiling. The performance followed their exceptional bowling display on the opening day, when Hasan Mahmud's six-wicket haul dismantled Australia's batting on their own turf. It set up a position from which Bangladesh can genuinely dream of a historic result. MORE: Smith admits to nicking Mahmud's delivery which was given not out The cricket world reacts to Bangladesh's dominance in Darwin The Tigers' display sparked an outpouring of praise across social media, with many drawing comparisons to England's recent struggles. One fan highlighted a remarkable statistic about their sheer endurance at the crease. "STAT: Bangladesh have now batted more overs than any of England's innings during the Ashes. The most England managed was 102.5 ovs at Adelaide. And this is Bangladesh's first innings in Aus in 23 yrs," the fan posted. It is incredible to see a Bangladesh side which has been an afterthought throughout this WTC cycle pull off such a performance.
STAT: Bangladesh have now batted more overs than any of England’s innings during the Ashes. The most England managed was 102.5 ovs at Adelaide. And this is Bangladesh’s first innings in Aus in 23 yrs.#BangladeshCricket — Sight Screen Cricket Journal (@SightScreenCJ) August 14, 2026 Another supporter felt the showing made a compelling case for Bangladesh to tour Australia more regularly. "Bangladesh has shown that they not only deserve to tour Australia more often, but they are good enough for a series during the peak November-January period. Two outstanding days of cricket from the Tigers," they wrote.
Bangladesh have shown that they not only deserve to tour Australia more often, but they are good enough for a series during the peak November-January period. Two outstanding days of cricket from the Tigers.#AUSvBAN — CricBlog ✍ (@cric_blog) August 14, 2026 With 23 years of a gap between the two Bangladesh tours of Australia, it is clear that the Tigers aren't getting attention up to their calibre. The quality of the batting drew widespread admiration, with one fan writing, "A day of classy, controlled, proper Test match batting. Bangladesh can now dare to dream."
A day of classy, controlled (proper?) Test match batting. Bangladesh can now dare to dream.#AUSvBAN — Andrew McGlashan (@andymcg_cricket) August 14, 2026 Others framed the achievement in historical terms, regardless of the eventual outcome. "Even if Bangladesh don't get a favourable outcome of this Test, this is already one of the greatest days in their cricketing history. Here's a team that hadn't played a Test in AUS for 23 years. And they have dominated the first two days of a Test in AUS," a fan noted.
Even if Bangladesh don't get a favourable outcome of this Test, this is already one of the greatest days in their cricketing history. Here's a team that hadn't played a Test in AUS for 23 years. And they have dominated the first two days of a Test in AUS. — Bharath Ramaraj (@Fancricket12) August 14, 2026 A final reaction summed up the wider significance for the sport. "FANTASTIC two days of test cricket played by Bangladesh against the Australians. Don't know when last a side made the Aussies look so ordinary on their home turf. What is impressive is their technical ability with bat and ball. A win for the Tigers would be great for world cricket, we need a few Davids to beat Goliaths," they wrote.
Cricket gyaan: FANTASTIC two days of test cricket played by Bangladesh against the Australians. Don’t know when last a side made the Aussies look so ordinary on their home turf (maybe 2018 India?). What is impressive is their technical ability with bat and ball: playing good old… — Rajdeep Sardesai (@sardesairajdeep) August 14, 2026 While three days of gameplay still remain and it is perhaps too early to count the mighty Aussies out, these two days Bangladesh showed they can be a genuine threat. MORE: LIVE: AUS vs BAN 1st Test, Day 2 - Highlights, scorecard, updates, winning momentum, stats from Darwin as Bangladesh build healthy lead Why Bangladesh's Darwin display could be a landmark moment There is a strong case that this is already among the most significant performances in Bangladesh's Test history, irrespective of how the match finishes. Dominating a full-strength Australia in their own conditions is something few teams manage, and the Tigers have done it through old-fashioned, technically sound cricket rather than fortune. The bigger picture is what it means for the format and for Bangladesh's standing within it. For years they have been handed short, infrequent tours of the major nations, and a result here would be a powerful argument for their inclusion in fuller, marquee series. Whether or not they close it out, Tanzid and his teammates have reminded the cricketing world exactly why Test cricket needs its underdogs to have their day.
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