Darwin, August 15, 2026: Bangladesh moved closer to a historic first Test victory in Australia after emerging pacer Hasan Mahmud and spinners Mehidy Hasan Miraz and Taijul Islam reduced the hosts to 161-4 at the close of the third day of the opening Test at Marrara Stadium on Saturday.
Australia, chasing a daunting target after Bangladesh were dismissed for 426 shortly after lunch, ended the day 67 runs behind the visitors, with Cameron Green unbeaten on 43 and Alex Carey on 19.
Hasan Mahmud was again at the centre of Bangladesh’s impressive bowling display, claiming two wickets after taking a career-best 6-55 in Australia’s first innings.
The pacer dismissed both Australian openers cheaply, bowling Jake Weatherald for a duck and Travis Head for 17. Both batters chopped deliveries onto their own stumps as Hasan made an immediate impact.
Marnus Labuschagne and Steve Smith briefly steadied Australia’s innings, but Bangladesh continued to apply pressure.
Labuschagne, who has struggled for form in recent matches, scored 31 before attempting to attack Taijul Islam and being bowled by a straight delivery.
Smith appeared composed as Australia sought to rebuild, but with the score on 122 he edged a delivery from Mehidy Hasan Miraz back towards the bowler, who completed the catch to remove one of Australia’s most experienced batters.
Green and Carey then combined to prevent further damage before the close.
“The way we showed character and the way we played for the last two or three days was outstanding,” Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto told Fox Sports.
“We are taking it session by session, focusing on the process and not the outcome,” he added.
Earlier, Mehidy played a crucial role with the bat as Bangladesh extended their first-innings total to 426.
Resuming at 351-6, Bangladesh initially appeared vulnerable after Josh Hazlewood claimed two wickets during the first hour.
However, Mehidy produced a determined innings, shielding the lower order and frustrating an increasingly tired Australian attack on a hot and humid Darwin morning.
He eventually fell for 65 to Hazlewood shortly after lunch, having helped Bangladesh establish a commanding position.
Taijul contributed a quick 17 before becoming Hazlewood’s 299th Test victim, guiding the ball to Cameron Green at gully.
Hazlewood then reached the 300-wicket milestone when he dismissed Mehidy caught behind by Alex Carey, leaving Bangladesh at 418-9.
The Australian quick claimed his 301st Test wicket soon afterwards when Ebadot Hossain was caught behind for seven.
Hazlewood finished with impressive figures of 6-89.
Bangladesh’s lower order also benefited from several missed opportunities in the Australian field. Steve Smith dropped a straightforward chance offered by Taskin Ahmed in the deep, while Travis Head later failed to hold a more difficult diving catch off Mehidy.
Bangladesh entered the Test as significant underdogs after suffering a heavy defeat against a Cricket Australia XI in their only warm-up match, including being bowled out for just 54 in their second innings.
Australia were widely expected to dominate the Test, but Bangladesh turned the contest on its head by dismissing the hosts for 198 on the opening day.
Their batsmen then occupied the crease for 138 overs, putting Australia’s bowlers under sustained pressure and building a substantial first-innings advantage.
Bangladesh are now attempting to secure their first Test victory on Australian soil in their third attempt.
With Australia four wickets down and still trailing Bangladesh by 67 runs, the visitors will enter the fourth day with a realistic opportunity to complete one of the most significant Test victories in their history.
