DARWIN, Australia — Young opener Tanzid Hasan carved his name into cricket history on Friday, becoming the first Bangladesh batsman to score a Test century on Australian soil. The 25-year-old left-hander reached the coveted milestone on Day 2 of the first Test against Australia in Darwin, spearheading a spirited batting display that put the visitors firmly in command.
Playing in just his second Test match, Tanzid displayed remarkable composure and technical grit against a formidable Australian pace attack led by Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, and off-spinner Nathan Lyon. Bringing up his hundred off 188 deliveries, the youngster anchored Bangladesh's response with a mature, steady head after the visitors had skittled out Australia for a modest first-innings total of 198.
Breaking a 23-Year National Record
Tanzid's knock eclipsed the previous highest individual score by a Bangladeshi batter in Australia—a 76-run effort by former opener Hannan Sarkar during the Tigers' historic tour in 2003.
The left-handed opener found a resolute partner in skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto. Together, the duo forged a crucial 93-run stand for the third wicket, thwarting the Australian bowling line-up through the heat of the afternoon session. Shanto compiled a fluent 84, complementing Tanzid's patience with timely boundary hits to tilt the momentum completely in Bangladesh's favor.
Pacers Set the Stage
The foundation for Bangladesh's dominance was laid earlier in the match by fast bowler Hasan Mahmud. Mahmud delivered a blistering spell of 6/55, dismantling the host nation's batting lineup and bundling them out for under 200 runs on a surface that offered assistance to discipline and movement.
Capitalizing on the bowlers' early breakthroughs, Bangladesh wiped out the deficit swiftly and built a commanding lead of over 100 runs with five wickets still in hand. Experienced campaigner Mushfiqur Rahim was at the crease late on Day 2, tasked with widening the lead as Bangladesh look to set up a monumental victory.
This series marks Bangladesh’s first Test tour of Australia in 23 years, making Tanzid’s record-shattering century an iconic milestone for the nation's red-ball cricket story.
