India’s Ashwin Full of Praise for Bangladesh

Sports Desk

Bangladesh shocked the cricket world by putting Australia on the backfoot in the first two days of the Darwin Test. Such a brilliant performance in playing a Test on Australian soil after 23 years has caught everyone’s attention.

Given the huge difference in strength between the two teams, many thought the visitors would lose the match within three days. Bangladesh had lost both Tests by an innings on their last tour in 2003. Besides, coming into the Australian tour after losing the Test against Zimbabwe and being bowled out for just 54 in the warm-up match, there were not many people willing to bet on the team.

However, Nazmul Hossain Shanto’s team has taken control of the match in the first two days, dispelling all fears. From former and current cricketers to analysts, Bangladesh is now full of praise. Many cannot remember whether they have ever seen the Kangaroos in such a disoriented state on the first day of a Test.

Former India off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin is also impressed with the royal comeback of the Bangladesh team. Ashwin wrote on social media X-A, “Bangladesh has cornered Australia in Darwin, which was not in anyone’s script. A team that was all out for 54 runs in the warm-up match is showing dominance in the first two days of the first Test – what a great turnaround! Long live Test cricket.”

Earlier, on the first day of the match, Bangladesh bowled out Australia for 199 runs with Hasan Mahmud’s career-best 55 for 6 wickets. The visiting batsmen then continued their dominance with the bat.

Tanjid Hasan Tamim became the first Bangladeshi to score a Test century on Australian soil. His brilliant 101 against the Aussies and captain Nazmul Hossain Shanto’s excellent 84 helped Bangladesh reach 351 for 6 at the end of the second day. The visitors’ lead stood at 153 runs.

Mehedi Hasan Miraj, who survived a slip catch on the last ball of the day, is unbeaten on 32 runs. Hasan Mahmud is also on the wicket with 13 runs. The two have already added an unbroken 40 runs for the seventh wicket.