Tanzid makes history, Bangladesh take control against Australia

Tanzid Hasan Tamim struck a historic century as Bangladesh produced a stunning performance against Australia in Darwin, reaching 351 for six at stumps on the second day of the first Test at Marrara Oval. In response to Australia’s first-innings 198, Bangladesh established a commanding 153-run lead with four wickets still in hand, dramatically overturning the disappointment of their warm-up defeat and putting the hosts under mounting pressure.

Tanzid, playing only his second Test, became the first Bangladesh batter to score a Test century in Australia, reaching the landmark with a single off Nathan Lyon before celebrating exuberantly with his teammates and the crowd. The left-hander made 101 off 197 deliveries, striking eight fours and a six, while building crucial partnerships of 102 with Mominul Haque and 93 with captain Najmul Hossain Shanto, who contributed a fluent 84. Tanzid’s century also made him only the second Bangladesh batter to score a Test hundred against Australia after Shahriar Nafees, who achieved the feat in Fatullah in 2006. He later dedicated the milestone to his parents.

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Bangladesh briefly faltered after losing three wickets for 11 runs between 297 and 306, but Mehedi Hasan Miraz and Hasan Mahmud steadied the innings with an unbeaten 43-run seventh-wicket stand, finishing on 32 and 13 respectively. Earlier, Hasan had dismantled Australia’s batting line-up with a career-best six for 55 as the hosts were bowled out for 198, with Steve Smith’s 71 the only substantial resistance. Bangladesh now enter the third day in a position of considerable strength, seeking to extend their lead and inflict further pressure on an Australian side that had dismissed them for just 54 in the second innings of their warm-up match. Former India star Ravichandran Ashwin hailed the turnaround as remarkable, describing Bangladesh’s ability to put Australia on the back foot after such a heavy warm-up defeat as unexpected.