Bangladesh opener Tanzid Hasan Tamim created a slice of history on Friday, becoming the first batter from his country to score a Test century on Australian soil. The 25-year-old left-hander reached the landmark during the second day of the opening Test of the two-match series against Australia at the Marrara Cricket Ground in Darwin.
Tanzid completed his maiden Test hundred from 188 balls as Bangladesh responded strongly after Australia were dismissed for 198 on the opening day. He eventually fell for 101 from 197 deliveries, with his innings featuring eight fours and a six. His century was also Bangladesh’s first Test hundred away from home since 2022, when Mahmudul Hasan Joy made 137 against South Africa in Durban. The landmark added another piece of history to Tanzid’s innings. His hundred was only the second by a Bangladesh batter against Australia in Test cricket. Shahriar Nafees had previously scored 138 against Australia at Fatullah in 2006. Tanzid’s contribution helped Bangladesh move ahead of the hosts on the second day. The visitors were 238/3 after 67 overs, giving them a 40-run lead over Australia. Bangladesh had already enjoyed a memorable opening day, with Hasan Mahmud producing a career-best performance with the ball. The pacer claimed 6/55 as Australia were bowled out for 198 in 53 overs. Hasan’s six-wicket haul surpassed Mohammad Rafique’s 5/62 at Fatullah in 2006 for the best bowling figures by a Bangladeshi against Australia in Tests. It also condemned Australia to their lowest Test total against Bangladesh since they were dismissed for 217 at Mirpur in 2017. The performance further strengthened Hasan’s reputation as a bowler capable of delivering away from home. In 15 Tests, he now has three five-wicket hauls, the second-most by a Bangladesh pacer behind Shahadat Hossain, who has four in 38 Tests. Hasan has now taken five-wicket hauls in India, Pakistan and Australia, underlining his effectiveness in challenging overseas conditions. Australia struggled to build any substantial partnership after Travis Head and Jake Weatherald put together 45 for the opening wicket. The hosts soon slipped to 74/4, allowing Bangladesh to seize control. Steve Smith offered some resistance, scoring 71 from 109 balls with seven fours and a six, but Bangladesh continued to make inroads into the Australian batting order. Hasan remained central to the visitors' attack throughout the innings. Taskin Ahmed also reached a significant milestone during the match, becoming only the sixth Bangladesh bowler to claim 300 international wickets. He finished with 2/55. Taskin now has exactly 300 wickets from 204 international matches, including 13 four-wicket hauls and three five-wicket performances, with a bowling average above 28. Only five Bangladesh bowlers have taken more international wickets than Taskin: Shakib Al Hasan with 712, Mashrafe Mortaza with 389, Mustafizur Rahman with 384, Mehidy Hasan Miraz with 369 and Taijul Islam with 302. With Tanzid producing a historic century and Bangladesh's pace attack dismantling Australia on the opening day, the visitors have put themselves in a strong position early in the first Test.