Tanzid Hasan's historic 101 makes him first Bangladesh batter to hit Test ton in Australia
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
Tanzid Hasan Tamim scripted history on Day 2 of the first Test in Darwin on Friday, 14 August, becoming the first Bangladeshi batter ever to score a Test century on Australian soil. The 25-year-old left-handed opener reached the milestone in just his second Test match, crafting a composed and commanding 101 off 190 balls to put Bangladesh in a dominant position against Australia.
A Record 23 Years in the Making
Tanzid's century eclipses a 23-year-old Bangladeshi batting record in Australia — former opener Hannan Sarkar's 76, which stood as the highest individual Test score by a Bangladeshi batter on Australian soil since 2003 in Cairns. The milestone signals a generational shift in Bangladesh's batting ambitions away from home.
How the Innings Unfolded
Tanzid survived an early scare, dropped on zero by Nathan Lyon in just the second over, before settling into a masterclass of controlled aggression. He built a crucial 102-run second-wicket partnership with Mominul Haque (49), then continued his assault alongside captain Najmul Hossain Shanto. His innings featured eight boundaries and a towering straight six off Beau Webster, before he was eventually dismissed by Lyon, chipping to long-off. He reached his hundred in 188 balls with a crisp punch to long-off, punching the air in celebration alongside his skipper.
Standing Tall Against Australia's Pace Battery
The knock came against a formidable Australian attack led by captain Pat Cummins, alongside Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, and Nathan Lyon — arguably one of the most complete home attacks in world cricket. Tanzid's composure against this quartet, particularly his ability to work through the off-side, drew widespread attention. Notably, this innings built on speedster Hasan Mahmud's brilliant 6 for 55 on Day 1, which had skittled Australia out for a paltry 198.
What Tanzid Said
'This is very special for me because this is the first time I am here. They came at me very differently and I was trying to play normal cricket shots and keep calm myself. I wasn't trying too much. I just played the ball,' a grinning Tanzid said at the tea break on Friday.
Bangladesh's Commanding Position
Despite Tanzid's departure, Bangladesh remain firmly in the driver's seat, pressing for what would be a historic Test victory on Australian soil. The visitors' lead, built on Hasan Mahmud's Day 1 heroics and Tanzid's record-breaking century, puts them in territory no Bangladesh side has occupied before on an Australian tour. All eyes now turn to whether the lower order can extend the advantage and set up a target that tests Australia at home.