An extraordinary bowling performance from Shoriful Islam highlighted the second day of the second Test clash between Australia and Bangladesh in Mackay on Sunday, August 23. The left-arm quick ripped through the Australian batting lineup to claim career-best figures of 7/48, skittling the hosts for 210. His sensational display secured a crucial 146-run first-innings advantage for Bangladesh, a massive turnaround after the tourists had been bowled out for a mere 64 in their opening turn.
Shoriful Islam secures historic seven-wicket haul
Resuming play at 165/8, the Australians added just 45 runs to their overnight total before being bowled out for 210 just prior to the lunch break. Shoriful wrapped up his magnificent seven-wicket haul in spectacular fashion, pinning a well-set Cameron Green leg-before-wicket for 67 with a lethal, late-swinging yorker. Taijul Islam brought the innings to a close by removing Josh Hazlewood for six, while Nathan Lyon was left stranded on an unbeaten 32. A final-wicket stand of 24 runs between Lyon and Hazlewood pushed the home side’s total past the 200-mark. Yet, despite this late defiance, Bangladesh stayed in a dominant position, majorly due to the damage inflicted by Shoriful’s masterclass.
A historic achievement in Mackay
Beyond driving his team’s dominance in the match, Shoriful’s bowling analysis rewrote the record books for Bangladesh in Test cricket. His figures of 7/48 mark the very first seven-wicket haul taken by a Bangladeshi bowler against Australia in the longest format of the game. Furthermore, this spell stands as the best-ever innings return by a Bangladesh bowler in an away Test match, eclipsing the previous record of 7/138 set by Taijul Islam against Zimbabwe earlier in the year.
This feat by the 24-year-old fast bowler is even more remarkable when viewed alongside recent bowling achievements by Bangladesh against Australia. During the first Test in Darwin, Hasan Mahmud had set a new high-water mark with his figures of 6/55 against the hosts. However, Shoriful has now elevated that benchmark to a whole new level with his display in Mackay.
Shoriful breaks the stubborn Steve Smith-Cameron Green partnership
Initially, the host nation threatened to snatch back the momentum after tumbling to a precarious 41/3. Steve Smith and Green combined for a resilient 77-run stand that stabilized the Australian innings and raised prospects of establishing a significant advantage. Smith made a solid 42 off 74 balls, including six boundaries, while Green fought hard for his 67 off 105 deliveries, hitting 10 fours.
Nevertheless, Shoriful continually disrupted the host’s resistance. By relentlessly targeting the stumps and generating sharp movement, he kept the Australian batters in check, ultimately earning his incredible seven-wicket haul. Notably, Shoriful’s 7/48 is the most impressive bowling performance by a touring player on Australian soil since legendary West Indies fast bowler Curtly Ambrose registered 7/25 back in 1993. Armed with a 146-run first-innings advantage, Bangladesh has taken absolute control of the match, overcoming their disastrous batting display on the opening day.
