Hazlewood ends Hasan, Taijul resistance in quick succession

Australia pacer Josh Hazlewood struck twice early on Day 3 of the first Test against Bangladesh at Marrara Stadium in Darwin, removing Hasan Mahmud and Taijul Islam in quick succession.

Bangladesh resumed the day at 351 for six, with Hasan unbeaten on 13 off 76 deliveries alongside Mehidy Hasan Miraz, who was on 32 off 73. Hasan, who had claimed a career-best six-wicket haul on the opening day, had shown tremendous composure with the bat as well to survive a difficult period on Friday.

Tap here to add The Daily Star as a trusted source

But his resistance came to an end in Hazlewood’s opening spell. The right-arm quick trapped Hasan LBW with a full and straight delivery that struck him on the pads. Hasan reviewed the on-field decision, but ball-tracking showed the delivery would have gone on to hit the middle and leg stumps.

Hasan walked back after a commendable 163-minute stay, having faced 92 balls for 14. His dismissal ended a valuable 46-run seventh-wicket partnership with Miraz and gave Australia their first breakthrough of the day.

Hazlewood then struck again soon, getting rid of Taijul Islam to claim his fourth wicket of the innings and his 299th in Test cricket. The left-hander edged a wider delivery to gully, bringing an end to another brief but useful contribution.

Taijul had not looked entirely convincing but had managed to add some much-needed quick runs for Bangladesh. In fact, he had whipped Hazlewood’s shorter delivery over the boundary for six off the first ball of the over in which he was eventually dismissed.

Taijul departed for a 23-ball 17, which included a four and a six, leaving Miraz with the remaining tailenders as Bangladesh sought to stretch their lead as far as possible.

After 121 overs, Bangladesh had moved to 379 for eight, extending their lead to 181 runs, with Miraz unbeaten on 42 off 97 deliveries and Taskin Ahmed yet to open his account after facing three deliveries.

Hazlewood’s double strike helped Australia gain momentum early in the day, with Bangladesh now relying on Miraz and the lower order to add a few more crucial runs to their already commendable lead.

Hasan’s resistance comes to an end early on Day 3

Australia pacer Josh Hazlewood trapped Hasan Mahmud in front, ending his gritty 92-ball 14-run knock and giving the visitors their first breakthrough on Day 3 of the first Test at the Marrara Stadium in Darwin today.

Bangladesh resumed the day at 351 for six, with Hasan unbeaten on 13 off 76 deliveries alongside the last recognised batter, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, who was on 32 off 73 deliveries.

After 117 overs, Bangladesh reached 366 for seven, extending their lead to 167 runs. Miraz remains unbeaten on 35 off 82 deliveries, while Taijul Islam is not out on 11 off 17 deliveries.

Hasan, who had rocked the Australian batting lineup on the opening day with a career-best six-wicket haul, had shown immense maturity, calmness and technique with the bat to survive crucial hours of play yesterday, especially after the visitors took three quick wickets to reduce the Tigers from 297 for three to 308 for six.

Hasan even negotiated Pat Cummins’ fiery first over this morning but could not survive for long, as he was trapped LBW by a Hazlewood delivery in the fourth over of the day. It was a full and straight delivery from the right-arm quick that thudded into Hasan’s pads. After the on-field umpire gave him out, Hasan reviewed the decision, but the replay showed that the ball would have gone on to hit the middle and leg stumps. He had to walk off after a commendable 163-minute stay at the crease.

The wicket ended a crucial 46-run stand for the seventh wicket between Hasan and Miraz, with the latter now left with the task of extending the Tigers’ lead as much as possible alongside the remaining tailenders.