Bangladesh suffered a heavy innings and 51-run defeat to Australia in the Mackay Test, with the match ending inside two days after the tourists were dismissed for just 95 in their second innings.
The defeat came after Bangladesh had been bowled out for 64 in their first innings, leaving them facing a substantial deficit before their second turn at the crease. They again struggled to cope with Australia’s bowling attack and failed to reach 100 in either innings — the first time Bangladesh have endured such a result in a Test match.
The outcome was particularly disappointing after Bangladesh had won the opening Test in Darwin, a historic result on Australian soil. With the second Test ending so emphatically in Australia’s favour, the two-match series finished level at 1–1.
Australia, having won the toss, elected to bat first and eventually reached 210. Bangladesh began the second day with Australia on 165 for eight, but managed to dismiss the hosts for 210 during the first session.
The standout performer for Bangladesh was left-arm fast bowler Shariful Islam. He claimed seven wickets, producing the best Test figures by a Bangladesh pace bowler and also registering the best bowling performance of his career. His spell gave Bangladesh a significant measure of encouragement with the ball, but it was not enough to compensate for the team’s batting failures.
Needing a much stronger effort in their second innings, Bangladesh began cautiously and scored five runs during the first two overs. The pressure, however, arrived almost immediately.
Mitchell Starc struck in the third over, having opener Shadman Islam caught by Marnus Labuschagne at point. From the very next delivery, Starc removed Mominul Haque, crashing through his off stump. Bangladesh were suddenly five for two and once again under severe pressure.
Tanzid Hasan and Najmul Hossain Shanto attempted to stabilise the innings, but their resistance did not last long. Tanzid was dismissed in the eighth over, caught by Starc off the bowling of Australian captain Pat Cummins. Bangladesh went into lunch on 39 for three.
The collapse accelerated after the interval. Shanto was dismissed while attempting to advance down the wicket, before Litton Das and Mehidy Hasan Miraz also departed. Hasan Mahmud and Taijul Islam followed, leaving Bangladesh in serious danger of an innings defeat.
Mushfiqur Rahim was then left to lead the fight for survival. He tried to extend the innings with Taskin Ahmed, but Bangladesh reached the tea interval with only two wickets remaining and still needing 51 runs to avoid an innings defeat.
There was little respite after the break. Taskin was caught in the slips with the first ball he faced, leaving Mushfiqur with only Shariful for company. Shariful survived just two deliveries before Nathan Lyon dismissed him, bringing Bangladesh’s second innings to an end at 95.
Australia therefore secured victory by an innings and 51 runs, wrapping up the Test in only two days.
For Bangladesh, the manner of the defeat will be a major disappointment, particularly after their historic success in Darwin. Yet the series as a whole will still hold a special place in the country’s Test cricket history. Returning to Australia for a Test series after 23 years, Bangladesh managed to record a memorable victory in the first match before suffering a dramatic reversal in Mackay.
The contrasting results leave both sides with one victory apiece. Australia dominated the second Test, but Bangladesh leave the two-match series with a landmark away win and a 1–1 series draw to remember.
