Bangladesh Bowled Out for 64 as Starc Runs Riot in Mackay Test

Bangladesh were bowled out for just 64 in their first innings of the second Test against Australia in Mackay on Saturday, as Mitchell Starc produced a devastating spell. Australia’s left-arm quick finished with 6-12, including five wickets in just 22 balls.

Bangladesh lost six wickets for 38 runs by lunch. Starc claimed the first five wickets, leaving the visitors in deep trouble from the start.

After Mushfiqur Rahim was dismissed, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Bangladesh’s last recognized batter, was caught off Pat Cummins. Miraz scored 14 from 50 balls.

Shoriful Islam and Taijul Islam offered some resistance from the lower order. Shoriful hit Cummins for a four to take Bangladesh to 43, while Taijul struck Josh Hazlewood for another boundary to move the total to 47.

Bangladesh eventually folded for 64 in 34 overs. Shoriful was the joint top scorer with 14. Starc finished with six wickets, while Cummins took the other four.

The total was not Bangladesh’s lowest in Test cricket. Their record low remains 43 against the West Indies in 2018. Their previous lowest score against Australia was 27, meaning Bangladesh avoided both records in Mackay.

The collapse puts Bangladesh under significant pressure in the second Test. They lead the two-match series 1-0 after recording a historic nine-wicket victory over Australia in Darwin in the opening Test.