Aus vs Ban: Tanzid Hasan scores first-ever Test century for Bangladesh in Australia
Darwin: Bangladesh opener Tanzid Hasan Tamim made history on Friday, becoming the first Bangladeshi cricketer to score a Test century on Australian soil.
The left-handed batter reached the milestone during Day 2 of the opening match of the two-test series against Australia at the Marrara Cricket Ground in Darwin.
Tanzid brought up his maiden Test hundred off 188 deliveries during Bangladesh's first innings, following Australia's dismissal for 198 on the opening day.
His century ended a long drought for a Bangladesh player scoring a Test hundred in away conditions, with the previous instance occurring in 2022 when Mahmudul Hasan Joy scored 137 against South Africa in Durban.
Tanzid's achievement marks only the second Test century by a Bangladesh batter against Australia, following Shahriar Nafees's 138 at Fatullah in 2006.
The 25-year-old was eventually dismissed for a well-crafted 101 off 197 balls, an innings featuring eight boundaries and a six. His knock helped Bangladesh establish a first-innings lead over the hosts. Bangladesh reached 238 for three after 67 overs, building a 40-run advantage.
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On Day 1, Bangladesh pace bowler Hasan Mahmud dismantled the Australian batting order, capturing career-best figures of 6 for 55 to dismiss the hosts for 198 in 53 overs.
Hasan's figures surpassed Mohammad Rafique's 5 for 62 at Fatullah in 2006 for the best bowling performance by a Bangladeshi in Tests against Australia, restricting a struggling home side to their lowest Test total against Bangladesh since being bowled out for 217 in Mirpur in 2017.
In 15 Tests, Hasan has recorded three five-wicket hauls, the second-most by a Bangladesh fast bowler in the format, trailing only Shahadat Hossain, who collected four in 38 Tests. Having now taken five-wicket hauls in India, Pakistan, and Australia, Hasan has established himself as a key threat in overseas conditions.
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Australia struggled to build momentum after an opening stand of 45 between Travis Head (22) and Jake Weatherald (23), sliding to 74 for four.
Steve Smith offered resistance, scoring 71 off 109 balls with seven fours and a six, attempting to anchor the middle and lower order, but Hasan maintained pressure throughout.
Fellow bowler Taskin Ahmed became the sixth player in Bangladesh cricket history to reach 300 international wickets, taking 2 for 55.
Taskin now possesses exactly 300 wickets across 204 matches, featuring 13 four-wicket hauls and three five-wicket hauls at an average under 29. Shakib Al Hasan (712), Mashrafe Mortaza (389), Mustafizur Rahman (384), Mehidy Hasan Miraz (369), and Taijul Islam (302) sit above Taskin on Bangladesh's all-time wicket-taking list.
ANI