Shoriful Islam replicated Mitchell Starc’s exploits as batters lived their worst nightmare on the opening day of the second Test at the Great Barrier Reef Arena in Mackay on Saturday.
Starc’s 6/12 shot down Bangladesh for mere 64 — its fourth lowest total in the format — before Shoriful, 6/35, returned the favour to limit Australia to 165/8 at the Stumps.
Cameron Green survived 81 balls and played till the end of day’s play for his 51, helping Australia take an overnight 101-run lead.
Green, batting at number five, saw five of his batting partners go back to the hut of which Shoriful removed four. Only Alex Carey was caught off Mehidy Hasan Miraz — the lone wicket of the day credited to a spinner.
Shoriful first had Travis Head chop on with the one that seamed into the left-hander before cleaning up Marnus Labuschagne three balls later. Earlier, Taskin Ahmed had Matt Renshaw caught in slips.
With Australia 41/3, Steve Smith and Green punched gloves and added 77 runs for the fourth wicket. Both survived multiple close calls but went past Bangladesh’s total with ease.
However, Shoriful returned to trap Smith on 42. In the same spell, the left-arm pacer got Beau Webster, Pat Cummins, and Mitchell Starc as well to reduce Australia to 148/8.
Nathon Lyon focused on his defence and saw off the remaining seven overs with Green.
Mitchell Starc picked his first five wickets in just 22 balls.
| Photo Credit:
AFP
Mitchell Starc picked his first five wickets in just 22 balls.
| Photo Credit:
AFP
Earlier, Cummins put Bangladesh into bat and Starc had Shadman Islam caught first ball. In the next 22 deliveries, the left-armer completed his five-wicket haul as Tanzid Hasan, Momimul Haque, Najmul Hossain Shanto, and Litton Das couldn’t handle the pace and swing. Bangladesh was 12/5.
Then Cummins cleaned up Mushfiqur Rahim, Mehidy Hasan, and Taskin Ahmed while Hazlewood had Hasan Mahmud as the visitor slumped to 39/9.
Shoriful came to rescue with the bat as well along with Taijul Islam as the last pair added 25 runs to get past three of Bangladesh’s lowest scores. Starc came back to complete the formalities, having Shoriful caught behind only for his counterpart to strike back.
Published on Aug 22, 2026
