HASAN MAHMUD TAKES 6-55 AS BANGLADESH BOWL AUSTRALIA OUT FOR 198

Bangladesh's pace bowlers dominated Australia on the opening day of the first Test in Darwin, with Hasan Mahmud recording career-best figures of 6 for 55 to dismiss the hosts for 198 in 53 overs. Steve Smith top-scored with 71, but the remainder of Australia's batting order collapsed against disciplined bowling on a surface that favoured seam bowlers. Australia won the toss and elected to bat, with openers Jake Weatherald and Travis Head putting on 45 runs before Mahmud removed both in successive overs to shift momentum decisively towards Bangladesh.

Mahmud's breakthrough triggered a cascade of wickets as Bangladesh's pace trio of Mahmud, Taskin Ahmed (2 for 55) and Ebadot Hossain (2 for 39) exploited the green-tinged pitch. Marnus Labuschagne fell for 1, Cameron Green for 13, and Alex Carey for 19, with Beau Webster bowled for 12 and captain Pat Cummins caught for 9. Smith's 71 came from 109 deliveries and featured seven boundaries and a six, but he was eventually dismissed by Mahmud when he top-edged a catch to wicketkeeper Litton Das. Ebadot should have claimed Smith for 2 but was let down by a dropped chance at third slip.

In reply, Bangladesh reached 96 for 1 by stumps, with Tanzid Hasan unbeaten on 32 and Mominul Haque on 35, cutting their first-innings deficit to 102 runs. Mitchell Starc took one wicket, bringing his career Test tally to 434, the most recorded by a left-arm bowler. The performance marked Bangladesh's first Test in Australia since 2003, with their bowlers demonstrating their prowess on Australian soil in Australia's first Test since their 4-1 Ashes victory over England.