Shoriful Islam Claims Best-Ever Figures by Bangladesh Bowler in Australia

Bangladesh fast bowler Shoriful Islam delivered a historic performance on Day 2 of the second Test against Australia, claiming 7/48 as the hosts were bowled out for 210. His career-best spell helped Bangladesh secure a commanding 146-run first-innings lead after being dismissed for just 64 in their opening innings. The performance also strengthened Bangladesh's position in a series they currently lead 1-0.

Australia resumed the day at 165/8 and managed to add another 45 runs before being bowled out before lunch. Shoriful completed his seven-wicket haul by dismissing Cameron Green for 67, trapping the Australian batter lbw with a sharp inswinging yorker. Taijul Islam then removed Josh Hazlewood for six to end Australia's innings. Nathan Lyon remained unbeaten on 32 and helped Australia cross the 200-run mark through a stubborn 24-run partnership with Hazlewood.

The spell gave Shoriful a place in Bangladesh cricket history. He became the first Bangladesh bowler to claim seven wickets in a Test innings against Australia. His figures of 7/48 also became the best innings figures by a Bangladesh bowler in an away Test, surpassing Taijul Islam's 7/138 against Zimbabwe earlier in 2026. Shoriful's performance was particularly significant because Bangladesh had already secured their first-ever Test victory in Australia in the opening match of the series.

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Australia had initially recovered from a difficult position after slipping to 41/3. Steve Smith and Cameron Green then added 77 runs to steady the innings, with Smith scoring 42 from 74 balls and Green making 67 from 105 deliveries. However, Shoriful's return to the attack changed the momentum again as he removed important Australian batters and prevented the hosts from building a sizeable first-innings total. His figures were also the best by a visiting bowler against Australia since West Indies great Curtly Ambrose took 7/25 in 1993.

Bangladesh's second innings began with another difficult spell from Australia's Mitchell Starc. The left-arm pacer struck twice in the third over, first having Shadman Islam caught by Marnus Labuschagne for one before bowling Mominul Haque for a duck with the next delivery. Pat Cummins added further pressure by dismissing Tanzid Hasan for nine, leaving Bangladesh at 39/3 at lunch. Captain Najmul Hossain Shanto was unbeaten on 23, while Mushfiqur Rahim was on four.

The visitors still held a 107-run advantage at the lunch interval, keeping them firmly in control despite the early second-innings setbacks. Bangladesh had entered the Mackay Test after defeating Australia by nine wickets in Darwin, and their bowlers have again made the difference in the second match. While Starc's wickets have kept Australia in the contest, Shoriful's record-breaking seven-wicket haul has given Bangladesh a major advantage as the Test progresses.

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