Shoriful Islam produced a sensational spell on Day 2 of the second Test between Australia and Bangladesh in Mackay on Sunday, August 23, claiming 7/48 as the hosts were bowled out for 210. The left-arm pacer’s career-best haul gave Bangladesh a 146-run first-innings lead after they had been dismissed for just 64.
Australia resumed the day on 165/8 and added 45 runs in 12.3 overs before being bowled out before lunch. Shoriful completed his seven-wicket haul by trapping Cameron Green lbw for 67 with a sharp inswinging yorker, while Taijul Islam removed Josh Hazlewood for six to bring Australia’s innings to an end.
AUS vs BAN, 2nd Test Day 2: UPDATES
Nathan Lyon remained unbeaten on 32 and, alongside Hazlewood, frustrated Bangladesh with a 24-run partnership for the 10th wicket. Lyon’s resistance ensured Australia crossed 200, but Bangladesh had still secured a sizeable advantage after their remarkable bowling effort.
Shoriful’s figures were the standout performance of the innings and marked the first seven-wicket haul by a Bangladesh bowler against Australia. His 7/48 also became the best innings figures by a Bangladesh bowler in an away Test, surpassing Taijul Islam’s 7/138 against Zimbabwe earlier this year.
SHORIFUL MAKES HISTORY IN MACKAY
The 24-year-old’s spell was particularly significant given the context of the series. Hasan Mahmud had taken 6/55 in the first Test in Darwin, which had been the best figures by a Bangladesh bowler against Australia in Tests. His nine wickets in that match played a major role in Bangladesh securing their first-ever Test win in Australia.
Shoriful has now gone one better in Mackay, producing the best figures by a visiting bowler against Australia since Curtly Ambrose took 7/25 in 1993.
His wickets included key members of Australia’s batting order and prevented the hosts from turning a precarious position into a commanding total.
Australia had slipped to 41/3 before Steve Smith and Green put together a 77-run partnership. Smith made 42 off 74 balls, hitting six fours, while Green’s 67 came from 105 deliveries and included 10 boundaries.
Shoriful then broke through to put Australia under sustained pressure, eventually finishing with seven wickets.
STARC STRIKES, BUT BANGLADESH STILL LEAD
Bangladesh’s advantage was quickly reduced when they began their second innings. Mitchell Starc struck twice in the third over, having Shadman Islam caught by Marnus Labuschagne for one before bowling Mominul Haque for a duck with the very next delivery.
Pat Cummins then removed Tanzid Hasan for nine, caught by Starc at deep fine leg after a miscued pull. Bangladesh reached 39/3 at lunch, still 107 runs ahead, with captain Najmul Hossain Shanto unbeaten on 23 and Mushfiqur Rahim on four.
Bangladesh lead the two-match series 1-0 after their nine-wicket victory in Darwin. But after Starc’s six-wicket haul in the first innings and Shoriful’s record-breaking response in Mackay, the second Test has produced another compelling chapter in the battle between the two bowling attacks.
– Ends
