Shoriful Islam Reveals Secret Behind Career-Best Bowling in Australia

Shoriful Islam delivered the best bowling performance of his Test career against Australia, taking six wickets for 35 runs on the opening day of the second Test in Mackay.

Shoriful was not included in Bangladesh’s squad for the first Test because of an injury. After passing a fitness test, he traveled to Australia on his own and earned a place in the playing XI for the second Test.

At the end of the first day, Australia were 165 for eight in their first innings, with Shoriful taking 6-35 to keep the hosts under pressure.

Before this match, Shoriful had taken 27 wickets in 23 innings across his first 13 Tests. His six-wicket haul was his first five-wicket haul in Test cricket and came in his 14th match, against Australia on their home soil.

Shoriful said he closely watched Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins during Bangladesh’s first innings and tried to learn from their approach.

Bangladesh were bowled out for just 64, with Starc taking six wickets for 12 runs and Cummins claiming three. Shoriful said he studied the lengths the Australian bowlers used to make the most of the conditions.

“Australia’s fast bowlers have always performed very well. They are legends of the game. I was watching which lengths gave the bowlers the most advantage,” Shoriful said.

The new ball swung significantly in Mackay, helping Australia dismiss Bangladesh cheaply. Shoriful hopes Bangladesh can make similar use of the conditions when Australia bat again.

“The new ball was swinging consistently, for about 15 to 20 overs. They made good use of that advantage. Hopefully, we can also use it when we get the opportunity,” he said.

Shoriful said he was happy to claim his first Test five-wicket haul but remained focused on the team’s result.

“The feeling is obviously good. First of all, I thank Allah. But I am not extremely happy just because I took five wickets. I will be much happier if we win the match,” he said.

He also praised Starc, who took six wickets earlier in the day.

“I like his bowling. Mustafizur is my role model back home, but I also like Starc because of his swing. We both took six wickets in the same match, which feels very good,” Shoriful said.

A total of 18 wickets fell on the opening day, with Australia nearing the end of their first innings after Bangladesh were dismissed for 64.

Despite Bangladesh’s poor batting performance, Shoriful believes the team remains in the contest.

“It’s only the first day and the match is not over. We had a bad day with the bat, but they are also struggling in their own conditions. Let’s see how much we can fight back in the second innings,” he said.

Shoriful said he had spoken with his teammates, particularly the batsmen, about the need to make the second innings count.

“We are still in the game. InshaAllah, we will try to make the second innings go in our favor,” he said.