Shoriful Islam eyes return as Bangladesh chase historic Australia series win
Synopsis
Bangladesh need just a draw in Mackay to complete the most stunning series upset in their Test history — and now Shoriful Islam, the left-arm pacer who missed Darwin with a hamstring injury, says he is fit and 'always ready' to play. His return could give Bangladesh yet another pace weapon in a series where their seamers have already taken all 20 Australian wickets.
Key Takeaways
Shoriful Islam has declared himself fit for the second Test against Australia in Mackay , beginning Saturday .
He missed the opening Test in Darwin due to a hamstring injury sustained during Bangladesh's Zimbabwe tour.
Bangladesh won the first Test by nine wickets — their first-ever Test victory on Australian soil.
Hasan Mahmud claimed nine wickets in the Darwin match; Bangladesh's seamers took all 10 Australian first-innings wickets.
Bangladesh need only a draw in Mackay to clinch their first-ever Test series win over Australia.
Bangladesh left-arm pacer Shoriful Islam has declared himself fit and ready for selection ahead of the second Test against Australia, as the visitors bid to seal a historic series triumph on Australian soil. The 25-year-old missed Bangladesh's stunning nine-wicket victory in the opening Test in Darwin due to a hamstring injury sustained during the team's earlier tour of Zimbabwe.
Shoriful's Recovery and Comeback Bid
Shoriful travelled to Darwin after being cleared to join the squad and watched his teammates script history — Bangladesh's first-ever Test win on Australian soil. Speaking to reporters in Mackay on Wednesday, the pacer struck an optimistic note about his availability for the second match at the Great Barrier Reef Arena.
'I am always ready. Let's see what is in my destiny, InshaAllah, and hopefully I can play the match,' he said.
Despite not being part of the playing XI in Darwin, Shoriful said the victory felt deeply personal. 'I'm very happy to have been part of such a victory. At least I made it into the pictures (laughs), even though I wasn't in the squad. It feels really good,' he added.
Bangladesh's Historic Darwin Win
The opening Test in Darwin was a landmark moment for Bangladesh cricket. Their pace attack was the decisive factor, with Hasan Mahmud claiming nine wickets in the match. Notably, Bangladesh's seamers accounted for all 10 Australian wickets in the first innings — a collective performance that underlined the visitors' growing pace depth.
Shoriful, reflecting on watching from the sidelines, said the win moved him deeply. 'I always prayed for the players who were playing, that they would give their best and that we would win. When we won the match, I was happier than anyone else in Bangladesh,' he said.
What's at Stake in Mackay
The second and final Test begins on Saturday in Mackay. Australia must win to level the two-match series, while Bangladesh require only a draw to claim their first-ever Test series victory over Australia. A Shoriful return would add further pace variety to a Bangladesh attack that has already proven it can trouble the hosts in home conditions.
Shoriful is part of Bangladesh's emerging core of fast bowlers, and his potential inclusion gives the visitors another potent option as they look to protect their historic lead. The final XI decision rests with team management, but the pacer's fitness and mindset appear firmly in order ahead of what could be a series-defining match.
Point of View
Something very few touring sides have managed. The real story heading into Mackay is not Shoriful's fitness but whether Australia, under pressure at home, can regroup against a Bangladesh side that now believes. If Bangladesh draw or win, it will force a long-overdue reassessment of how Test cricket's traditional hierarchies are ranked — and whether Australia's home-conditions advantage is as reliable as once assumed.
NationPress
19 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Shoriful Islam playing in the second Test against Australia?
Shoriful Islam has declared himself fit and said he is 'always ready' ahead of the second Test in Mackay. The final decision on his inclusion rests with Bangladesh's team management.
Why did Shoriful Islam miss the first Test in Darwin?
Shoriful missed the Darwin Test due to a hamstring injury he picked up during Bangladesh's tour of Zimbabwe. He travelled to Darwin after being cleared to join the squad but did not feature in the playing XI.
What do Bangladesh need to win the series against Australia?
Bangladesh need only a draw in the second Test in Mackay, starting Saturday, to claim their first-ever Test series victory over Australia. Australia must win to level the two-match series.
How did Bangladesh win the first Test against Australia in Darwin?
Bangladesh won the opening Test in Darwin by nine wickets, with Hasan Mahmud taking nine wickets in the match. Their seamers also dismissed all 10 Australian batters in the first innings.
Who is Shoriful Islam?
Shoriful Islam is a 25-year-old Bangladeshi left-arm pace bowler who is part of the country's emerging fast-bowling group. He has been a regular member of the Bangladesh Test squad and was travelling with the team in Australia before his injury-enforced absence from the Darwin Test.
