Mitchell Starc Runs Riot as Bangladesh Collapse for 64 in Mackay Test

Bangladesh arrived in Mackay full of confidence after their historic nine-wicket victory over Australia in Darwin. But that confidence quickly turned into a nightmare as Australia’s pace attack ripped through their batting lineup in the second Test.

Bangladesh were bowled out for just 64 in their first innings, with Mitchell Starc leading the demolition.

Starc produced a devastating spell, taking five wickets from just 22 deliveries before eventually finishing with remarkable figures of 6 for 12 from 10 overs. His 22-ball five-wicket haul ranks among the fastest in Test history. 

The damage began from the very first ball of the innings. Shadman Islam edged Starc’s full-length delivery to Cameron Green at gully and departed without scoring.

Starc then struck twice in his next over, removing Tanzid Hasan Tamim and Najmul Hossain Shanto without either batter getting off the mark. The Australian quick suddenly had a chance of completing a hat-trick, although he could not finish the feat.

All of Bangladesh’s first three batters were dismissed for ducks. Starc later removed Mominul Haque for nine before completing his five-wicket haul by trapping Litton Das lbw in the seventh over.

Litton’s dismissal came after a dramatic moment. He had initially been given a reprieve when Beau Webster dropped a catch at slip after a Starc bouncer. However, the Bangladesh wicketkeeper-batter was dismissed lbw by the very next delivery. Australia successfully reviewed the original not-out decision.

With Bangladesh in deep trouble, Mehidy Hasan Miraz and Mushfiqur Rahim attempted to steady the innings. Mushfiqur faced 42 deliveries but managed only five runs before Pat Cummins bowled him.

Miraz also failed to provide the resistance Bangladesh desperately needed. After remaining unbeaten on 11 at the end of the opening session, he returned after the interval but added no further runs. He was caught by Beau Webster at third slip off Cummins.

Cummins then dismissed Taskin Ahmed for just one, while Josh Hazlewood removed Hasan Mahmud for 10. Bangladesh were suddenly staring at the possibility of their lowest-ever Test total.

Shoriful Islam and Taijul Islam eventually provided a brief fightback, adding 25 runs for the final wicket. Shoriful top-scored with 14 before his dismissal brought Bangladesh’s innings to an end at 64, while Taijul remained unbeaten on 11. 

The 64-run total is the fourth-lowest score in Bangladesh’s Test history. Their lowest remains 43, recorded against the West Indies in 2018.

For Starc, the five-wicket haul in 22 balls was another remarkable achievement. However, the fastest five-wicket haul in Test history still belongs to the Australian himself. He took just 15 balls to claim five wickets against the West Indies last year, when the Caribbean side were bowled out for only 27.

After Bangladesh’s historic win in Darwin, which gave them a 1-0 series lead, the second Test has begun in completely different fashion. Starc’s six-wicket demolition has left Bangladesh facing a huge challenge in Mackay.