Tanzid Hasan Tamim makes history with maiden Test century as Bangladesh take command in Darwin
Tanzid Hasan Tamim became the first Bangladesh cricketer to score a Test century in Australia, reaching 101 on day two of the series-opening match at Marrara Oval in Darwin (BBC Sport).
The 24-year-old opener, playing in only his second Test match, reached three figures off 197 balls — a patient innings built across two sessions and grounded in discipline rather than flair. By stumps on day two, Bangladesh were 351-6, a lead of 153 runs over Australia's first-innings total of 198.
It is a scorecard that demands attention. Australia have never lost a home Test to Bangladesh. In six previous meetings between the two sides, Bangladesh's sole victory came at Mirpur in 2017. To see the Tigers 153 ahead with four wickets still in hand, on Australian soil, is a position few would have predicted when the series began.
The foundations were laid on day one, when Bangladesh's pace attack — described by Reuters as depleted — tore through Australia's top order, reducing the hosts to 74 for four at lunch (Reuters). Australia never fully recovered. Steve Smith's 71 was the only score of substance as the innings folded for 198, with Hasan Mahmud claiming 6-55.
Tanzid began day two on 32, with Bangladesh at 96-1. He pressed forward with Mominul Haque, the pair adding 102 for the second wicket before Josh Hazlewood removed Mominul for 49 just before lunch — a wicket that left Bangladesh 181-2 at the interval (Yahoo Sports).
After lunch, Tanzid found another reliable partner in captain Najmul Hossain Shanto. Their 93-run stand took the game further from Australia's grasp. Shanto went on to make 84. Tanzid himself fell in the afternoon session, driving Nathan Lyon to Mitchell Starc at long-off, but by then his hundred was secured and the damage done.
Australia struck back with the new ball — the harder, shinier ball that fast bowlers favour once it becomes available after 80 overs — taking three quick wickets after tea. The rally stalled, though, when Mehidy Hasan Miraz and Hasan Mahmud, the same bowler who had dismantled Australia's innings, added an unbroken 43 to carry Bangladesh to stumps firmly in control.
Tanzid's century carries historical weight beyond the match situation. He is only the second Bangladesh batter to score a Test hundred against Australia, following Shahriar Nafees, who made 138 in 2006 (ESPN). He is also just the second Asian player to score a century in his maiden Test innings in Australia (ESPNcricinfo).
For Bangladesh, whose Test journey began in November 2000 against India in Dhaka, moments like this have been rare on the road against top-tier opposition. A two-Test series — the second designated as part of the 2026-27 Test calendar — offers little margin for error. But with three days remaining in Darwin and a lead already past 150, Bangladesh have given themselves the stronger hand.
Australia, for their part, will need early wickets on day three. Smith's 71 aside, their batting lacked the depth to match Mahmud's swing, and the target they set was always within reach once Tanzid settled. The question now is whether Bangladesh can build this lead into something that puts the result beyond doubt.
