Shoriful Six Keeps Bangladesh Alive After Starc Rout
News Desk
Mackay: Bangladesh mounted a remarkable late fightback after being bowled out for just 64, with Shoriful Islam claiming six wickets to leave Australia struggling at 165 for 8 at stumps on a dramatic opening day of the second Test.
The 18-wicket day began with Mitchell Starc tearing through Bangladesh’s top order, but Shoriful’s response in the final session transformed what appeared to be a one-sided contest into a closely fought battle.
Starc finished with outstanding figures of 6 for 12, moving past South African great Dale Steyn’s 439 Test wickets in the process. Bangladesh were reduced to 12 for 5 after Australia captain Pat Cummins opted to bowl first.
Four of Bangladesh’s top six batters failed to score, while Shadman Islam was dismissed by Starc from the very first ball of the match.
Starc completed his five-wicket haul in just 22 balls before Bangladesh’s lower order offered some resistance. Shoriful, batting at No. 11, top-scored with 14, while the final five batters added 47 runs to take Bangladesh to 64.
Australia appeared to be heading towards a commanding advantage after losing three early wickets in their reply. Steven Smith and Cameron Green then steadied the innings with a 77-run fourth-wicket partnership.
However, Shoriful’s return to the side after recovering from a hamstring injury proved decisive.
The left-arm seamer dismissed Travis Head for the third time in three innings in the series, before removing Marnus Labuschagne soon afterwards. He later ended Smith’s resistance with a delivery that moved back sharply and struck the batter in front of the stumps.
Smith was dismissed for 42 after Bangladesh successfully challenged the decision, with the review showing the ball clipping the off stump.
Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto then introduced Mehidy Hasan Miraz, who immediately contributed by removing Alex Carey.
Shoriful continued his assault by dismissing Beau Webster and Pat Cummins in the same over. Webster was trapped lbw before Cummins edged a sharply rising delivery onto his glove and into the hands of wicketkeeper Litton Das.
Starc became Shoriful’s sixth victim when he was bowled by a delivery that moved off the seam.
At the close, Green remained unbeaten on a half-century, having struck eight boundaries, while Australia held a lead of 101 runs with only two wickets remaining.
Earlier, Starc made full use of the new ball and the helpful conditions. He dismissed Shadman from the opening delivery before removing Tanzid Hasan, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Mominul Haque and Litton Das to reduce Bangladesh to their lowest-ever position of 12 for 5 in a Test innings.
Bangladesh’s collapse continued after lunch, with Cummins and Hazlewood joining the wicket-taking effort.
Despite the humiliating start, Shoriful’s six-wicket spell ensured Bangladesh finished the day with renewed hopes of keeping the Test competitive.
With Australia only 101 runs ahead and two wickets left, Bangladesh will look to wrap up the Australian innings early on the second morning and then produce a vastly improved batting display.
