Tigers roar back with bat after bowling Australia out for 198

Bangladesh produced another impressive batting session in the Darwin Test on Friday (August 14), reaching 181 for two at lunch on the second day to move within 17 runs of Australia’s first-innings total of 198.

The tourists made an assured start to the day, with Tanzid Hasan and Mominul Haque adding 102 for the third wicket before Josh Hazlewood broke the partnership. Mominul fell for 49 off 95 balls, edging behind after striking eight boundaries.

Tanzid, meanwhile, brought up his maiden Test half-century and continued to make the most of his reprieves. The left-hander was dropped twice at slip by Steve Smith—on nought off Nathan Lyon on the opening day and again on 62 early Friday.

He remained unbeaten on 74 from 144 balls at lunch, with six fours and a six, anchoring Bangladesh’s strong response.

After Mominul’s dismissal, captain Najmul Hossain Shanto joined Tanzid and initially played cautiously before settling into his innings. He was unbeaten on 28 off 40 balls, with three boundaries, as the pair added 43 from 70 deliveries for the third wicket.

Bangladesh’s dominant position follows a superb bowling effort on the opening day, when Hasan Mahmud claimed a career-best six-wicket haul to dismiss Australia for 198. Ebadot Hossain and Taskin Ahmed took two wickets each.

With eight wickets still in hand, Bangladesh now have an excellent opportunity to take a first-innings lead and put Australia under pressure in the Test.