Hasan Mahmud takes 6/55 as Bangladesh dominate Australia

Hasan Mahmud claimed six wickets for 55 runs to lead Bangladesh to a position of strength against Australia in Darwin. The visitors restricted the hosts to a total of 198 runs after choosing to bat first on a pitch with green tinges.

Australia began with a 45-run opening stand between Travis Head and Jake Weatherald. However, Hasan Mahmud broke the partnership by finding the outside edge of Weatherald, who scored 23. The middle order collapsed as Marnus Labuschagne was dismissed by Ebadot Hossain and Cameron Green fell to Taskin Ahmed, leaving Australia at 74/4.

Steve Smith and Alex Carey attempted to rebuild with a 55-run partnership before the lunch break. The recovery was halted immediately after the interval when Ebadot Hossain dismissed Carey on the first ball of the session. Bangladesh's pace bowlers eventually took all ten wickets, with Hossain bowling Beau Webster for 12 and Mahmud removing Smith for 71.

Bangladesh responded with a steady start at the crease. Openers Shadman Islam and Tanzid Hasan shared 36 runs before Mitchell Starc dismissed Islam, caught by Nathan Lyon. Smith's 71 and his 45th Test half-century remained the highlights for the Australian side.

Monimul Haque anchored the Bangladeshi innings with a composed performance. He played several aggressive shots against Pat Cummins and Nathan Lyon to keep the scoreboard moving. At the close of play, Bangladesh reached 96/1, with Hasan Mahmud and Haque remaining unbeaten on 32 and 35.