AUS vs BAN, Day 2: Tanzid Hasan’s Maiden Century Puts Bangladesh on the Verge of a Historic Upset in Darwin

Twenty-four hours ago, Bangladesh bowling Australia out for 198 already felt like a story worth writing home about. By the end of Day 2 in Darwin, that now reads like just the opening chapter. Bangladesh piled on 351 for 6, built around a maiden Test century from Tanzid Hasan, and walked off at stumps with a 153-run lead and Australia’s frustration boiling over in the field. This is shaping up to be one of the more remarkable Test matches Australia has been part of at home in years.

Tanzid’s Big Day

Playing only his second Test, Tanzid Hasan did something he rarely bothers with in white-ball cricket — he batted patiently. Very patiently. He stayed at the crease for more than five hours, facing 197 balls for his century, striking eight fours and a six along the way but generally keeping his usual big-hitting instincts firmly in check. It’s a version of Tanzid Australian bowlers hadn’t really seen before, and it paid off in the biggest possible way.

There was a slice of fortune involved too, as there so often is in long Test innings. Nathan Lyon dropped Tanzid on the very first evening of the match, before he’d scored a run. He survived another let-off during his century knock as well, when a ball off Lyon ricocheted off wicketkeeper Alex Carey’s gloves and into Steven Smith’s wrist at slip. Tanzid had also dropped a chance himself on Day 1 — he shelled Smith at slip when the Australian batter was on just 2, and Smith went on to make 71. Test cricket has a way of rewarding patience even through the moments that don’t go your way, and this innings was a good example of that.

A Series of Partnerships Did the Damage

What made Bangladesh’s day so difficult for Australia to stop wasn’t just one big innings — it was how many partnerships kept forming behind it. Tanzid added 102 for the second wicket with Mominul Haque, then put on 93 for the third wicket with captain Najmul Hossain Shanto. After Tanzid eventually fell — bowled by Starc off a Lyon over, having reached three figures with a single to long-off and been given a warm ovation by the Darwin crowd — Shanto and Mushfiqur Rahim added another 66 before Mehidy Hasan Miraz chipped in with the bat late in the day.

Shanto made a composed 84, guiding much of the innings by taking on a heavy share of the strike through Tanzid’s nervous nineties, while Mominul contributed a valuable 49 lower down the order than he’s used to. By the time Miraz (32*) and Hasan Mahmud (13*) saw out the final session together, Bangladesh had turned a solid position into a genuinely dominant one.

Day 2 Scorecard Snapshot

• Bangladesh: 351/6 — Tanzid Hasan 101, Najmul Hossain Shanto 84, Mominul Haque 49, Mehidy Hasan Miraz 32*, Hasan Mahmud 13*
• Australia bowling: Josh Hazlewood 2/68, Mitchell Starc 2/68
• Bangladesh lead by 153 runs over Australia’s first innings total of 198

Tempers Flare as Australia’s Frustration Grows

A day spent almost entirely in the field will test any side’s patience, and Australia’s cracked a little as the hours wore on. Mitchell Starc was involved in a heated exchange with Mehidy Hasan Miraz, accusing the Bangladesh batter of blocking his follow-through while running a single — a fairly clear sign of a team feeling the pressure of a Test slipping away from them on home soil.

Australia did get some late reward for their efforts, picking up three wickets in the final session to at least keep themselves in the contest heading into Day 3. It could easily have been four — Cameron Green put down a straightforward chance off the very last ball of the day, a miss that will sting given how tight this match has become.

The Smith Incident Still Being Talked About

One moment from Day 1 was still generating conversation as Day 2 unfolded. Steven Smith, on his way to that lone score of substance for Australia, appeared to edge behind off Ebadot Hossain before lunch on the opening day. Bangladesh celebrated immediately, umpire Kumar Dharmasena shook his head, and Najmul Hossain Shanto sent the decision upstairs. Smith had already begun walking off, expecting to be given out — but the replay showed no spike on the technology, and he was sent back to the crease. Smith later admitted candidly that he thought he’d hit it. It’s the kind of moment that can define a match, and on this occasion, it worked in Australia’s favour before the tide turned against them regardless.

Why This Match Matters

Bangladesh have never had much success in Australia — this tour itself only came about after 23 years away — and a result here would rank among the biggest boilovers in the sport in recent memory. With a 153-run lead, six second-innings wickets in hand for Bangladesh and two full days still to play, Australia have a genuine fight on their hands to avoid what would be one of the more embarrassing home defeats in their recent Test history.

What’s Next

Day 3 promises to be pivotal. Bangladesh will look to push their lead well past 200 with Miraz and the tail still at the crease, before turning their bowlers loose on an Australian side that will need something close to a complete performance with both bat and ball to get back into this Test.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What was Bangladesh’s score at the end of Day 2?

Bangladesh finished Day 2 on 351 for 6, taking a lead of 153 runs over Australia’s first-innings total of 198.

Who scored a century for Bangladesh on Day 2?

Tanzid Hasan scored 101, his maiden Test century, coming in only his second Test match.

What happened between Mitchell Starc and Mehidy Hasan Miraz?

Starc accused Miraz of blocking his follow-through while running a single, leading to a heated on-field exchange as Australia’s frustration grew during a long day in the field.

What was the Steven Smith DRS controversy about?

On Day 1, Smith appeared to edge a ball from Ebadot Hossain before lunch. Bangladesh reviewed the not-out decision, but the DRS technology showed no spike, and Smith survived to make Australia’s top score of 71. He later admitted he thought he had edged it.

Who took wickets for Australia on Day 2?

Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Starc picked up two wickets each as Australia fought back in the final session.

Why is this Test significant for Bangladesh?

It’s Bangladesh’s first Test tour of Australia in 23 years, and a strong result here would rank among the biggest upsets in the sport in recent years.