AUS vs BAN: Mahmud's six-fer leaves Australia struggling in 1st Test as Bangladesh seize command on Day 1

Bangladesh marked their long-awaited return to Test cricket on Australian soil in spectacular fashion, dismantling the world’s top-ranked side for just 198 on Day 1 at Darwin’s Marrara Oval. Returning to Australia for the first time in 23 years, the visitors dominated the opening day, finishing strong at 96 for 1 by stumps.

Aussies stumble on Day 1 as Mahmud powers Bangladesh’s flying start

The hero of the day was pacer Hasan Mahmud, who ripped through Australia’s star-studded lineup to collect a brilliant 6 for 55—the third-best figures by a Bangladeshi quick in Test history. Despite Pat Cummins winning the toss and opting to bat on a green-hued pitch, Australia's batting unit floundered. Steve Smith was the sole bright spot with a fighting 71 before falling to Mahmud, while local favorite Jake Weatherald (23) and Cameron Green (13) failed to capitalize on their starts.

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Bangladesh’s batters then capped off a dream day by showing remarkable composure against Australia’s frontline attack of Cummins, Starc, Hazlewood, and Lyon. While Mitchell Starc claimed the lone breakthrough—surpassing Rangana Herath to become the highest-wicket-taking left-arm bowler in Test history with 434 scalps—an unbeaten 60-run stand between Tanzid Hasan (32*) and Mominul Haque (35*) firmly put Bangladesh in the driver's seat.

Australia's deflated batting

In what turned out to be a lonely bright spot for the hosts, Australia's early momentum evaporated quickly after a solid 45-run opening stand. The shift was catalyzed by a decisive spell from 26-year-old Hasan Mahmud, who shattered the opening partnership in quick succession. Darwin local Jake Weatherald, despite tweaking his technique over the winter, struggled to handle the relentless, disciplined seam movement before loosely edging to slip, while Travis Head’s promising start ended abruptly when he chopped on for 22.

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The middle order offered little resistance as Bangladesh's pace battery tightened its grip. Marnus Labuschagne scratched out a lone run across 20 grueling deliveries before snicking Ebadot Hossain to the slip cordon, and Cameron Green soon followed for 13, miscuing Taskin Ahmed to short midwicket to leave Australia reeling at 74 for 4. Although Alex Carey (19) joined forces with Steve Smith to forge a 55-run counter-attack after lunch, his dismissal—another unfortunate chop-on off Ebadot—reignited a devastating batting slide.

Taskin then produced a beauty to clean-bowl Beau Webster for 12, clearing the path for Mahmud to sweep through the lower order and ultimately dismiss a slogging Smith via a top-edge.