Tanzid century puts Bangladesh in command after second day

What a couple of days Bangladesh have enjoyed in the Darwin Test.

After Hasan Mahmud’s sensational 6/55 helped dismiss Australia for 198 on the opening day, Bangladesh carried that momentum into the second day, piling up 351/6 to take a commanding 153-run lead.

Opener Tanzid Hasan Tamim’s maiden Test century (101) and captain Najmul Hossain Shanto’s 84 formed the backbone of another dominant day for Bangladesh, who have now controlled both the bowling and batting exchanges for two successive days.

For a Bangladesh side accustomed to surrendering the gains of one day on the next, supporters could hardly afford to relax with the team still 103 runs short of Australia’s total at the start of the second day.

But head coach Phil Simmons’ mantra of taking the match session by session worked wonders.

Bangladesh added 85 runs in the first session despite losing Mominul Haque, then posted another 105 in the second after Tanzid departed, putting themselves firmly on course for a huge total.

Australia threatened a late fightback with the second new ball, removing Shanto, Litton Das and Mushfiqur Rahim in the space of just 10 runs. But Mehidy Hasan Miraz and Hasan Mahmud refused to let the hosts’ surge continue.

The pair’s unbeaten 43-run stand at stumps has left Bangladesh dreaming of something special.

Earlier, Tanzid and Mominul had produced a crucial 102-run partnership from 189 balls for the second wicket. The stand ended when Mominul fell to an unnecessary shot against Josh Hazlewood, edging a fuller, wide delivery towards the off side.

Captain Shanto then joined Tanzid and played the senior role, taking more of the strike and helping his younger partner resist the temptation to play unnecessary shots.

Tanzid survived a major scare on 62 when Steven Smith dropped a chance at slip off Nathan Lyon. Shanto offered the youngster encouragement and guidance, before watching him reach a memorable century in only his second Test.

Tanzid brought up the landmark with a single off Lyon to long-off, receiving applause from teammates and supporters.

The 25-year-old, who made 26 and four on his Test debut against Pakistan in Sylhet in May, looked a completely different batter in Darwin on Friday.

His innings finally ended when he was caught at long-off off Lyon, but his 101 from 197 balls, including eight fours and a six, announced his arrival as a serious Test batter.

Shanto also looked on course for a century after sharing a 93-run third-wicket partnership from 157 balls with the maiden centurion.

However, 16 runs short of three figures, the captain edged Hazlewood to slip for 84 from 126 balls, with seven fours and a six.

Litton followed soon after, driving at a Starc delivery outside off and finding slip without scoring. Mushfiqur’s dismissal was equally frustrating, as he was caught at slip for 36 after trying to leave a Pat Cummins delivery at the last moment.

Yet Bangladesh did not collapse.

Mehidy and Hasan Mahmud stood firm despite losing three wickets for just 10 runs. Hasan, who had destroyed Australia’s top order with the ball, showed equal courage with the bat, surviving 76 balls from eight Australian bowlers to remain unbeaten on 13.

Mehidy was unbeaten on 32.

Bangladesh have now recorded a first-innings lead in two of their six Tests against Australia. In 2006 at Fatullah, Shahriar Nafees’ century helped Bangladesh take a 158-run lead, while in 2017 at Mirpur they secured a 43-run advantage.

The first ended in a three-wicket defeat. The second produced Bangladesh’s famous Test victory over Australia.

This time, Bangladesh have taken the lead in Australia.

They have already posted their highest Test total against Australia on Australian soil. Now they have another target in sight: their highest-ever team total against Australia.

Bangladesh made 427 at Fatullah in 2006. They need another 77 runs to surpass that mark in Darwin.