Tanzid Tamim Century: Bangladesh enjoyed another strong day in Darwin as the Tigers took control of the first Test against Australia. After a good opening day, Bangladesh continued their impressive performance on Day 2 and ended the day at 351 for 6.
The biggest moment of the day was Tanzid Tamim’s maiden Test century against Australia. His innings gave Bangladesh a strong platform and helped the visitors build a first-innings lead of 153 runs.
Tanzid looked confident throughout his innings and became the first Bangladesh batter to score a Test century in Australia. His achievement added another important chapter to Bangladesh’s cricket history.
Tanzid Tamim Century Makes History
Tanzid Tamim’s century was the main highlight of Bangladesh’s day. The opener became the first Bangladesh batter to score a Test hundred in Australia.
His century was also Bangladesh’s first away Test hundred by an opener since Mahmudul Hasan Joy scored 137 against South Africa in Durban in 2022.
Tanzid also became only the second Bangladesh batter to score a Test century against Australia. The first was Shahriar Nafees, who made 138 in Fatullah in 2006.
His performance was especially important because Bangladesh were facing a strong Australian attack on their home ground. Tanzid stayed focused and played a major role in giving his team control of the match.
Strong Partnership With Mominul Haque
Tanzid also played an important part in a 102-run partnership with Mominul Haque for the second wicket.
It was only the second time Bangladesh had recorded a century partnership against Australia in Australia. Hannan Sarkar and Habibul Bashar had earlier made 108 together in Cairns in 2003.
The partnership helped Bangladesh settle after the early stages of the innings and put pressure back on the Australian bowlers.
Shanto Adds Another Important Fifty
Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto also played an important role on Day 2.
After Tanzid’s excellent contribution, Shanto added a valuable half-century to keep Bangladesh moving forward. His innings helped Bangladesh maintain a strong position even as Australia fought back later in the day.
Bangladesh eventually lost a few wickets during a late mini-collapse, but they still finished the day in a very strong position at 351 for 6.
Bangladesh Set a New Record in Australia
Bangladesh’s total of 351 for 6 is already their highest Test score in Australia.
They went past their previous best of 295, which they scored in Cairns during the first innings of the second Test in 2003.
The score is also Bangladesh’s second-highest Test total against Australia overall. Their highest remains the 427 they made in Fatullah in 2006.
The latest performance shows how much Bangladesh have improved when facing Australia, particularly with the bat.
A Big First-Innings Lead
By the end of Day 2, Bangladesh had built a first-innings lead of more than 150 runs against Australia.
This has happened only twice in Bangladesh’s Test history against Australia. The previous occasion was in Fatullah in 2006, when Bangladesh took a 158-run lead.
That match eventually ended in a three-wicket defeat for Bangladesh, but the current situation gives the Tigers another chance to make history against Australia.
Steve Smith Reaches a Major Milestone
Australia’s Steve Smith also had a memorable day in the field.
Smith took three catches during the day, taking his total to 218 catches in Test cricket. That moved him level with England’s Joe Root for the most catches by a fielder in Tests.
What makes Smith’s achievement even more impressive is the number of matches he needed to reach the mark. He got to 218 catches in 124 Tests, while Root reached the same number in 166 Tests.
India legend Rahul Dravid remains third on the list with 210 catches in 164 Tests.
Mitchell Starc Moves Ahead of Kapil Dev
Australian fast bowler Mitchell Starc also reached an important career milestone.
His only wicket of the day took his Test wicket tally to 435. That moved him past India great Kapil Dev, who finished his Test career with 434 wickets.
Starc is now 11th on the all-time Test wicket list. He needs only five more wickets to move into the top 10, with South Africa legend Dale Steyn currently ahead of him on 439 wickets.
Bangladesh Finish Day 2 in a Strong Position
The late wickets gave Australia some hope, but Bangladesh still ended Day 2 in a commanding position.
Tanzid Tamim’s historic century, Mominul Haque’s useful partnership, and Najmul Hossain Shanto’s half-century helped the Tigers take control of the match.
With Bangladesh finishing on 351 for 6 and holding a 153-run lead, Australia now face a difficult task. The remaining Bangladesh batters will look to add more runs before the innings comes to an end.
For Bangladesh, the biggest positive is the confidence shown by their batters in Australian conditions. Tanzid Tamim’s century has already made the day special, but the Tigers will want to turn this strong position into an even bigger advantage in the next stage of the Test.
