26-year-old Bangladesh pacer Hasan Mahmud is the toast of the town after his brilliant figures of 6/55 on the opening day of the first Test against hosts Australia at Darwin on Thursday. Thanks to his extraordinary effort, the Aussies couldn’t even score 200 as they were bowled out two runs short of that. In their reply, Bangladesh finished the day on 96/1, in firm control of the game. It was the third time in his career that Mahmud picked up a five-for, having previously done it against India and Pakistan (in Rawalpindi). In Chennai a couple of years ago, Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill were among his five wickets. On Thursday, Travis Head and Steve Smith, the highest scorer of the Aussie innings with 71, were among his victims.
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When asked which five-for (between Chennai and Darwin) was the best according to him, Mahmud gave a nice, composed answer. “I think every five-for is important to me, and I’m very happy to get a five-for overseas. So, I really enjoy these conditions in Australia, you know, India and Pakistan are very hot, but yeah, it has been a very good journey for me,” he told ABC Sport after his feat.
Mahmud has also played for county side Kent, and the fast bowler admitted that the stint there helped him in Australia. “Yeah, I was in Kent in Blackpool, and I got a 6-for there as well. And I’ve really enjoyed it in Kent because the conditions look similar in Australia and England. So I find it pretty, pretty good for the bowlers, obviously, and you know, when you get the new ball on a fresh wicket, and you get more bends, you get bounce, swing, and that’s how your confidence grows. So yeah, that’s helped me a lot,” he said.
Come to think of it, Mahmud wouldn’t have featured in this game if not for injuries to some of Bangladesh’s fast bowlers prior to the series. Injury to tearaway pacer Nahid Rana was particularly a big blow to the team. He wouldn’t have been in the squad either, if truth be told – if the other pacers were fit. But now he is the star of the opening day, and if Bangladesh go on to win this game, it will be largely due to his efforts. He really put on a clinic with his line and length.
