Dhaka, Aug 23 (V7N) – Bangladesh left-arm pacer Shoriful Islam produced a remarkable performance in the second Test against Australia, becoming the first bowler in 33 years after West Indies legend Curtly Ambrose to take seven wickets in a Test innings on Australian soil.
Shoriful's figures of 7-48 marked his maiden five-wicket haul in Test cricket and the best bowling performance by a Bangladeshi bowler outside the country. It is also the best figures by a Bangladesh bowler against Australia and by a Bangladeshi fast bowler in Test cricket.
In doing so, he became the first visiting bowler since Ambrose's 7-25 at the WACA Ground in Perth in 1993 to claim seven wickets in a Test innings on Australian soil. At one stage of that spell, the West Indies great had taken seven wickets while conceding only one run.
The left-arm seamer troubled Australia's batters with sharp bouncers and late in-swing. Before this Test, Shoriful hadn't even recorded a five-wicket haul, but his excellent bowling earned him a place in history.
However, despite his record-breaking spell, Bangladesh suffered an innings and 51-run defeat inside two days. Australia managed to post 210 and took a 146-run first-innings lead after bowling Bangladesh out for 64. The visitors were then bowled out for 95 in the second innings, handing Australia a comprehensive victory.
Shoriful's performance, along with his earlier figures of 6-45 in the first Test in Darwin, saw him claim 13 wickets in the series at an average of just over 15, firmly establishing himself as a key figure in Bangladesh's pace attack. Australia won the series 2-0 following their victory in the first Test at Darwin.
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