Bangladesh Chase Historic Series Win as Second Test Begins in Mackay
Bangladesh will attempt to complete one of the most remarkable series wins in Test cricket history when the second and final Test against Australia begins on Saturday in Mackay.
The tourists lead the two-match series 1-0 after a nine-wicket victory in Darwin last Sunday, their first Test win in Australia and a result widely described as among the greatest upsets the format has produced. Bangladesh had lost 22 of their previous 26 Tests outside Asia and were bowled out for 54 in a warm-up fixture against a Cricket Australia XI the week before the series began.
How Darwin Unfolded
Australia were dismissed for under 300 in both innings at Marrara Stadium. Bangladesh posted 426 in reply to Australia's first innings 198, establishing a lead of 228 runs. Tanzid Hasan scored a maiden Test century, and Hasan Mahmud took nine wickets across the match to earn the player of the match award.
Mehidy Hasan Miraz was central on the fourth day, having already made 65 with the bat and dismissed Steve Smith for 44. He took four further wickets as Australia were bowled out for 284, leaving Bangladesh a target of just 57. Cameron Green's maiden Test century at home, an innings of 104, delayed the result without changing it. Mominul Haque hit the winning runs inside four days.
The defeat cut Australia's lead at the top of the World Test Championship standings, with their points percentage dropping from 87.50 to 77.78.
A New Venue and a Change in the Squad
Saturday's match will make the Great Barrier Reef Arena in Mackay Australia's 12th men's Test venue. It is the third ground worldwide to host its first Test in 2026, after Brian Lara Stadium in Tarouba and the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium in New Chandigarh.
Australia have made at least one change to their side. Opener Jake Weatherald has been dropped after scores of 23 and 0 in Darwin, with Queensland's Matthew Renshaw recalled in his place. Weatherald averaged a little over 20 across six Tests. Scott Boland and Josh Inglis, both left out in Darwin, are expected to be available, with Inglis having recovered from a minor back complaint.
Bangladesh are unlikely to make changes after a complete team performance, though Shoriful Islam and Soumya Sarkar are understood to be options if required.
What’s at Stake?
Australia have never lost both matches of a two-Test series at home. Captain Pat Cummins defended the team's preparation after the Darwin defeat, but the pressure to respond is considerable given the standard the side has set in recent years, having qualified for the past two World Test Championship finals.
For Bangladesh, a win in Mackay would lift them to third in the current World Test Championship table. Coach Phil Simmons has described the Darwin result as the best Test win of his coaching career.
There are individual milestones in play as well. Steve Smith is 50 runs away from moving to third on Australia's all-time Test run-scoring list, passing Steve Waugh's mark of 10,927. Mushfiqur Rahim needs 158 runs to become the first Bangladesh player to reach 7,000 Test runs.
Captain Najmul Hossain Shanto has said his side is capable of handling the extra bounce expected in Mackay, and has spoken about wanting his team to produce five days of good cricket. In Darwin, they did not need the fifth day.
