Bangladesh produced a major surprise on Thursday, August 13, 2026, as they took clear control of the first Test against Australia in Darwin. The visitors bowled Australia out for only 198 on the first day. Hasan Mahmud led the attack with a career-best spell of 6-55. Steve Smith gave Australia some hope with a brave 71, but the rest of the batting unit could not stay at the crease for long.
The day became a huge moment for Bangladesh. Australia had home support, a strong team and four famous bowlers back in the side. Yet, by the close of play, Bangladesh had reduced the gap to only 102 runs. They stood at 96-1 after their first innings had begun, with a strong chance to take a lead on day two.
Australia Start Well but Lose Their Way
Australia won the toss and chose to bat first. At the start, that choice looked wise. The home side reached 45 without loss and seemed set for a strong total. The pitch had some green grass and moisture, though, which gave the Bangladesh fast bowlers enough help.
Hasan Mahmud soon changed the whole match. He found a good line and length and put pressure on the Australian batters. Jake Weatherald fell for 23, while Travis Head made 22 before Hasan removed him too. The early wickets gave Bangladesh belief and placed Australia under pressure.
The Australian top order could not recover after that. Marnus Labuschagne made only 1, while Cameron Green scored 13. Their quick exits made the task much harder for the home side. Australia had hoped for a strong start from its top batters, but Bangladesh kept control of the contest.
Hasan Mahmud Produces a Career-Best Spell
The main hero for Bangladesh was Hasan Mahmud. The fast bowler took 6 wickets for 55 runs, his best figures in Test cricket. His spell was the key reason Australia could not reach a large total.
Hasan kept his bowling simple. He used a steady line and did not give the Australian batters many easy balls. His success also showed the value of patience. He did not need wild pace or risky plans. He kept the ball in the right areas and waited for mistakes.
His six-wicket haul was also a major personal milestone. It was his third five-wicket haul in Tests. More importantly, it came against one of the strongest Test teams in world cricket and on Australian soil.
Steve Smith Stands Alone
Steve Smith was the one major source of resistance for Australia. The former captain made 71 and carried much of the home side’s hopes for a respectable total.
Smith had to deal with constant pressure as wickets fell at the other end. He showed patience and used his experience to keep the score moving. His 71 became even more important because Jake Weatherald’s 23 was the next best score from the Australian side.
Smith could not take Australia to safety, though. Hasan Mahmud eventually removed him, and Australia soon lost its final wickets. The hosts ended their first innings at 198, a score far below what they would have expected before play began.
Bangladesh Bat With Great Confidence
Bangladesh then had a chance to show that their strong bowling was not only due to the pitch. Their batters responded well and gave their bowlers even more reason to feel confident.
Shadman Islam and Tanzid Hasan helped Bangladesh make a steady start. Shadman later became the only Bangladesh wicket to fall before stumps, with Mitchell Starc taking the breakthrough.
Tanzid Hasan and Mominul Haque then took charge. They built a solid partnership and helped Bangladesh reach 96-1 by the close of play. Tanzid was unbeaten on 32, while Mominul was unbeaten on 35. Their calm approach left Bangladesh only 102 runs behind Australia.
Starc Reaches a Major Record
There was also a major personal record for Australia’s Mitchell Starc. He took the wicket of Shadman Islam and moved past Rangana Herath in the list of Test wickets by left-arm bowlers.
Starc now stands as the most successful left-arm wicket-taker in Test history. The record gave Australia one positive moment on a very difficult day.
Starc, Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood and Nathan Lyon had all returned to the Australian side. Their presence had raised hopes of a strong home performance. Instead, Bangladesh’s bowlers had the greater impact on day one.
A Rare Chance for Bangladesh
This Test also has extra value for Bangladesh because it marks their first Test series in Australia since 2003. More than two decades have passed since their last Test tour there.
That long gap made the result on day one even more notable. Bangladesh did not merely compete with Australia. They placed the home side under serious pressure from the first session.
The visitors also came into the match after a poor result against Zimbabwe in June. They lost that Test by an innings and 85 runs. Few would have expected such a sharp response in Darwin against Australia.
Their first day has now changed the mood around the series. Bangladesh have shown that they can handle the conditions and challenge Australia’s best players.
Australia Face a Tough Day Two
Australia now need early wickets on the second morning. Bangladesh have only 102 runs to make up, and two well-set batters are at the crease.
If Australia can remove Tanzid Hasan and Mominul Haque early, the match could change again. The home side still have a powerful attack, led by Starc, Cummins, Hazlewood and Lyon. A few quick wickets could put Bangladesh under pressure.
But if Bangladesh’s top order stays firm, the visitors could move into the lead. That would place Australia in a very difficult position for the rest of the Test.
The pitch may also become easier for batting as the match moves on. That makes Australia’s first innings total of 198 even more costly. The home side will need a far better second innings if they want to regain control.
Bangladesh Have the Advantage
At the end of day one, Bangladesh have every reason to feel pleased. Hasan Mahmud produced the best spell of his Test career, Australia were dismissed for 198, and the visitors reached 96-1.
Steve Smith’s 71 saved Australia from an even lower total, while Mitchell Starc added a historic record to his career. Yet those moments could not hide Australia’s problems with the bat.
Bangladesh now have a real chance to take a first-innings lead. Their position is not yet enough to call the Test theirs, but the first day has clearly gone their way.
For Australia, the task is simple but difficult: take early wickets and stop Bangladesh from gaining a large lead. For Bangladesh, the goal is just as clear: stay calm, bat deep and turn a superb first day into a historic result.
The first Test has only just begun, but Bangladesh have already sent a strong message. Australia may be the world’s top-ranked Test team, yet on this Darwin day, Bangladesh were the better side.
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