Shoriful’s Five-Wicket Haul Puts Australia Under Pressure in Mackay Test

Australia came under pressure after being bowled out Bangladesh for 64 in the Mackay Test, with left-arm pacer Shoriful Islam producing a superb spell to claim five wickets.

Shoriful dismissed Travis Head and Marnus Labuschagne in the same over before removing Steve Smith lbw. Smith scored 42 from 74 balls. Shoriful then trapped Beau Webster lbw to complete his five-wicket haul.

Australia also made a shaky start. Matt Renshaw, returning to Test cricket after three and a half years, was dismissed for eight from 10 balls by Taskin Ahmed. Mehidy Hasan Miraz then removed Alex Carey, leaving the hosts under early pressure.

Smith and Cameron Green briefly steadied Australia with a 108-ball partnership worth 77 runs. The partnership ended when Smith was dismissed.

Australia’s lead remained below 100 runs at the time of the report. Shoriful had taken five wickets, while Taskin and Miraz had one each.

Bangladesh were earlier bowled out for just 64 after Mitchell Starc took six wickets. Despite the huge first-innings deficit, Bangladesh’s bowlers have given the visitors an opportunity to fight their way back into the match.