Bangladesh pacers roar as Australia slip to 74-4

Bangladesh made a dream start against Australia in the first Test, reducing the hosts to 74-4 at Lunch with all three pacers – Hasan Mahmud, Ebadot Hossain and Taskin Ahmed – getting into the wickets column at the Marrara Stadium in Darwin on Thursday.

Hasan was the pick of the bowlers, striking twice in his seven-over opening spell, while Ebadot and Taskin getting one wicket each.

After beating both openers multiple times with his swing and seam movement, Hasan got his reward in the 12th over by getting Jake Weatherald caught behind for 23.

He then claimed the prize wicket of Head for 22, setting him up with three out-swingers before bowling an in-swinger that took an inside edge off the bat and hit the stumps.

Ebadot replaced Taskin Ahmed in the attack and would have had Steve Smith dismissed on two if Tanzid Hasan Tamim hadn’t dropped a straightforward chance at slip.

Ebadot induced another outside edge in his next over, this time off Marnus Labuschagne (one), and skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto held it safely.

Late in the sessions, the Bangladesh team thought they had Smith caught behind off Ebadot, referred the decision when the on-field umpire disagreed.

Smith was seemingly walking back to the pavilion but the replays showed no nick, much to the surprise of the Bangladesh players.

In the final over of the session, Taskin tested Cameroon Green (13) with a bouncer on the first ball, which he hit for a six. But Taskin's plan seemingly worked, as Green, expecting a short-ball, overbalanced when the ball was pitched in good length and ended up flicking it straight to Mushfiqur Rahim at mid-wicket.

The visitors will now hope to build on this dream start in the second session. Bangladesh were asked to bowl first by Australia.