Shoriful Islam's six-for brings Bangladesh back after Starc rout
Shoriful Islam answered Mitchell Starc's devastating 6 for 12 with a maiden Test six-wicket haul of his own, taking 6 for 35 as Bangladesh fought back after being bowled out for 64 on Day 1 in Mackay. Australia closed at 165 for 8, leading by 101 runs in the second Test.
Thirteen wickets fell across the first two sessions at Great Barrier Reef Arena as Bangladesh, trailing 1-0 after Darwin, refused to fold on Mackay's Test debut — Australia's 12th Test venue. For more live sports updates, see our Celebrity Breaking News hub.
Key Takeaways
- Mitchell Starc took 6 for 12 in 10 overs as Bangladesh were bowled out for 64 in 34 overs.
- Shoriful Islam replied with 6 for 35, including a maiden Test five-wicket haul, as Australia slumped to 165 for 8.
- Starc's five-for came in 22 balls — the sixth-fastest in Test history — and moved him past Dale Steyn to 440 wickets.
- Cameron Green remained unbeaten on 51 to limit Australia's first-innings lead to 101 runs at stumps.
- Bangladesh recalled Shoriful after hamstring recovery, replacing Ebadot Hossain.
What happened on Day 1 in Mackay?
Pat Cummins won the toss and Australia chose to bowl first on a lively, Gabba-style pitch. Bangladesh lasted only 34 overs and were dismissed for 64 — their fourth-lowest total in Test cricket — before late resistance from Shoriful Islam and Taijul Islam pushed them past their previous series low.
When Australia batted, Shoriful struck twice in his first over and finished with 6 for 35 in 11 overs. Steve Smith fell lbw for 42, Beau Webster and Pat Cummins were dismissed for ducks in the same over, and Alex Carey made 5. Green ended the day 51 not out from 81 balls with Nathan Lyon on 10 not out.
How did Mitchell Starc destroy Bangladesh's batting?
Starc removed Shadman Islam with the first ball of the match — the fourth time he has opened a Test with a wicket. Tanzid Hasan, Najmul Hossain Shanto and Litton Das all fell for ducks as Bangladesh slid to 12 for 5, their lowest total at five wickets down in a Test innings.
Starc completed his five-wicket haul in 22 balls, the sixth-fastest in Test history; he already holds the record with 15 balls against West Indies. He returned after lunch to dismiss Shoriful Islam, caught behind for 14 — Bangladesh's top score — to finish with 6 for 12. The spell lifted Starc past Dale Steyn's 439 wickets to 440, placing him 10th on the all-time list, according to the ICC.
How did Shoriful Islam bring Bangladesh back?
After Starc's rout, Bangladesh's quicks clawed the contest back. Taskin Ahmed removed Matt Renshaw for 8, caught in the slips in the third over. Shoriful then had Travis Head bowled off an inside edge — Head's third dismissal to Shoriful in the series — before bowling Marnus Labuschagne around his back.
Shoriful's 6 for 35 included Steve Smith lbw for 42 and twin ducks from Webster and Cummins in the 33rd over to seal his maiden Test five-for. Mehidy Hasan Miraz also chipped in as Australia lost eight wickets on a day when both attacks dominated.
What does this mean for the second Test?
Bangladesh still trail by 101 runs with two wickets in hand in Australia's first innings, but Shoriful's spell kept the series alive after a horror batting collapse. Australia arrived in Mackay 1-0 down and needed Starc's magic; Bangladesh needed their left-arm quick to answer immediately — and he did on a historic opening day in Queensland.