Shoriful Islam bags 7-wicket-haul, becomes 1st visiting left-arm pacer since 1883 to achieve this feat in Australia

Bangladesh's Shoriful Islam wreaked havoc with a seven-wicket haul in the ongoing second Test against Australia at the Great Barrier Reef Arena, Mackay on August 23. Shoriful became the first Asian left-arm pacer to take a seven-fer on Australian soil in the red-ball format. 

Before Shoriful, only two England left-arm pacers have been able to achieve the feat. In 1879, Tom Emmett had taken seven wickets for 68 runs in Melbourne. The record for best bowling figures by a visiting left-arm pacer in Australia belongs to Dick Barlow who claimed seven wickets for 40 runs in 1883.

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Shoriful’s seven wickets for 48 runs from just 15 overs is the second-best bowling figures by a visiting left-arm pacer on Aussie soil.

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For an Asian left-arm pacer, the previous record was in possession of Pakistan's Wasim Akram who bagged six wickets for 62 runs against Australia in Melbourne in 1990. 

Overall, the previous visiting pacer to take a seven-fer in Australia was West Indies' Curtly Ambrose with seven wickets for 25 runs.

Shoriful also broke the record for best bowling figures by a Bangladesh pacer in Australia. The record was recently registered by his teammate Hasan Mahmud with a six-fer at Marrara Cricket Ground, Darwin, in a historic Test win.

Shoriful’s wickets

Earlier, on Day 1, Bangladesh were bowled out for 64. Shoriful struck twice in his first over, dismissing Travis Head and Marnus Labuschagne. In the last session, he got the prized wicket of Steve Smith who was batting on 42. He had another two-wicket over, getting rid of all-rounder Beau Webster and skipper Pat Cummins for ducks. He knocked over Mitchell Starc too on Day 1 to complete his six-wicket haul. Australia were 165/8 at the end of day's play.

Early into Day 2's play, Shoriful trapped Cameron Green in front of the crease to take his seventh wicket. Green departed after scoring 67 runs from 105 balls. Australia were bowled out for 210 in 52.3 overs, managing a 146-run lead.

At the end of the first session, Bangladesh were 39/3 in their second innings. Starc struck twice in an over again whereas Cummins got a wicket as well.