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AUS vs BAN 1st Test: The first match of the two-Test series between Australia and Bangladesh in Darwin got off to a dramatic start. On the very first day of the Test, which began on August 13, the match witnessed an outcome no one had anticipated. Australia, considered the strong favorites from the outset, crumbled like a house of cards against a lethal spell from the Bangladeshi fast bowlers, with the entire team bowled out for just 198 runs in the first innings.
Bangladesh Pace Attack Shines: Hasan Mahmud Takes 6 Wickets
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After winning the toss and electing to bat, Australia had hoped for a big score given the conditions in Darwin, but the visiting team's fast bowlers dashed all the hosts' plans.
- Hasan Mahmud: This young Bangladeshi fast bowler wreaked the most havoc. Hasan delivered a magnificent spell, claiming 6 crucial wickets and effectively breaking the back of the Australian batting lineup.
- Taskin Ahmed and Ebadot Hossain: Providing excellent support to Hasan, Taskin and Ebadot claimed two wickets each.
Session-by-Session Breakdown: How Australia Wickets Fell
Bangladesh put Australia on the back foot right from the very first session of the match:
- First Session (Until Lunch): The top order could not withstand Hasan Mahmud's incisive bowling. With the fall of Cameron Green's wicket (13 runs) on the final ball before lunch, Australia had already lost four key wickets for just 74 runs.
- Second Session (Until Tea Break): Steve Smith held one end firm and completed his half-century, but wickets continued to tumble at the other end. At the tea break, the host team's score stood at 183 for 8.
- Third Session: After the break, fans were hoping for a big innings from Smith, but he too was dismissed for a personal score of 71. With Smith's departure, Australia's first innings folded for 198, falling short of the 200-run mark.
Steve Smith Fights Alone with Resilient 71
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For Australia, only Steve Smith was able to put up a determined fight against the Bangladeshi bowlers. He played a gritty knock of 71 the highest score of the innings but the team failed to post a big total due to a lack of significant support from the other batsmen. Bangladesh delivered a magnificent performance on the opening day, firmly establishing their grip on the Test match.
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