Hasan Mahmud produced a memorable spell on Day 1 of the first Test against Australia at Marrara Cricket Ground in Darwin, ripping through the hosts’ batting lineup with six wickets.
The right-arm pacer finished with figures of 6/55 as Australia were bowled out for just 198, giving Bangladesh a strong start in the contest. Steve Smith stood firm amid the collapse, scoring 71, but the rest of the Australian batting order struggled against Bangladesh’s disciplined bowling attack.
Australia’s total was their lowest in seven Tests against Bangladesh and came nine years after they were dismissed for 217 in Mirpur in 2017, when Bangladesh recorded their only Test win over Australia.
Hasan’s six-wicket haul also ranks among the best innings figures by a Bangladesh fast bowler in Test cricket. Only Shahadat Hossain, with 6/27, and Ebadot Hossain, with 6/46, have taken six wickets in an innings with better figures for Bangladesh. It was a landmark performance for Hasan on Australian soil.
Best bowling figures by BAN pacers in Tests
6/27 – Shahadat Hossain vs SA, Mirpur, 2008
6/46 – Ebadot Hossain vs NZ, Mount Maunganui, 2022
6/55 – Hasan Mahmud vs AUS, Darwin, 2026*
6/64 – Taskin Ahmed vs WI, North Sound, 2024
6/71 – Robiul Islam vs ZIM, Harare, 2013
6/81 – Manjural Islam vs ZIM, Bulawayo, 2001
Before this Test, Mohammad Rafique’s 5/62 stood as the best bowling figures by a Bangladesh bowler against Australia. Mahmud has now surpassed that mark with his six-wicket haul, becoming the first Bangladesh bowler to claim a six-wicket haul against Australia in Test cricket.
5-fers for BAN vs AUS in Tests
6/55 – Hasan Mahmud, Darwin, 2026*
5/62 – Mohammad Rafique, Fatullah, 2006
5/68 – Shakib Al Hasan, Mirpur, 2017
5/85 – Shakib Al Hasan, Mirpur, 2017
Hasan was at the heart of Bangladesh’s bowling effort, making life difficult for Australia’s batters throughout his spell. He made the first breakthrough in the 12th over when Jake Weatherald went after a ball outside off and edged it behind to Litton Das for 23. Hasan struck again soon after, with Travis Head chopping on for 22 to leave Australia 52/2. He returned later and removed Australia captain Pat Cummins, who edged behind while trying to steer the ball away. Hasan then completed his fourth wicket when Mitchell Starc nicked a delivery through to the wicketkeeper for a thin edge. Smith, who had top-scored with 71, also fell attempting a big shot, while Nathan Lyon was dismissed in similar fashion as Australia were bowled out for 198.
In reply, Mitchell Starc drew first blood by dismissing Shadman Islam for 20. The wicket also saw the Australian pacer move to the top of the list for most Test wickets by a left-arm bowler in cricket history.
Most Test wickets by a left-arm bowler
434* – Mitchell Starc (AUS)
433 – Rangana Herath (SL)
414 – Wasim Akram (PAK)
362 – Daniel Vettori (NZ)
355 – Chaminda Vaas (SL)
348 – Ravindra Jadeja (IND)