Bangladesh shock Australia as they restrict them to a paltry 198 on the 1st Day
Hasan Mahmud took 6-55 as the pace bowling attack of Bangladesh tore through Australia's batting line up.
XtraTime Newsdesk: Australia got a big surprise today as Bangladesh restricted them to a paltry 198 and then scored 96/1 on the 1st day of the 1st test between the nations. The Darwin pitch was a green top designed to aid the Aussie bowlers but with Bangladesh bowling first, things turned pretty bad for the Australian batting line up.
In their last test match, Zimbabwe humiliated Bangladesh but this might just be a dream start for the team against a relatively strong team.
Hasan Mahmud took 6-55 as the pace bowling attack of Bangladesh tore through Australia's batting line up. Hasan starred for the visitors with consistent line and length, striking in his sixth and seventh overs to remove openers Jake Weatherald (23) and Travis Head (22) after Australia won the toss and raced to 45 without loss on a green-tinged pitch.
From there, Mahmud and fellow pacemen Taskin Ahmed (2-55) and Ebadot Hossain (2-39) dominated the first two sessions, bowling with discipline to exploit the conditions and get on top of a batting line-up that was held together primarily by Smith's defiant 71.
Smith was the next-to-last wicket to fall, advancing at Mahmud before top-edging a high catch to wicketkeeper Litton Das, bringing an innings featuring seven boundaries and a six to an end.
The day began well for the hosts, as skipper Pat Cummins won the toss. In only his second Test in 13 months, he rejoined with fellow pacemen Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Starc, as well as experienced off-spinner Nathan Lyon, to form a frontline assault known as the Big Four.
A strong audience cheered on Darwin-born Weatherald, but he never settled and unnecessarily snatched a ball from Mahmud. Head was out shortly after, cutting on a ball delivered from around the wicket as Australia fell to 52-2.
Ebadot had Marnus Labuschagne (1) caught by Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto and had the opportunity to dismiss Smith early on, but a chance at third slip was turned down.
Bangladesh took great advantage of the first morning, reducing the hosts to 74-4 when all-rounder Cameron Green (13) was dismissed just before noon.
Ebadot removed Alex Carey (19) after the interval, while Taskin bowled Beau Webster (12).
Hasan got Cummins (9) and Starc (1) out edging and finished the innings in 53 overs with the wickets of Smith and Lyon.
Despite having their first-choice bowling attack back together, Australia were unable to capture more than one Bangladesh wicket, as Mominul Haque (35) and Tanzid Hasan (32) combined for an undefeated 60-run partnership.