mitchell starc sixfor
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Mitchell Starc six-for destroys Bangladesh for just 64

ByJustpaste.in

MACKAY: Bangladesh’s batting collapsed spectacularly against Australia on Saturday, folding for just 64 runs in the first innings of the second Test as Mitchell Starc produced a devastating spell of fast bowling.

Playing at the Great Barrier Reef Arena in Mackay, Australia won the toss and elected to bowl first. The decision quickly paid off as Bangladesh’s batters struggled to cope with the pace and movement generated by the Australian attack.

Starc was the chief destroyer, claiming six wickets for just 12 runs from 10 overs. His relentless spell left Bangladesh’s batting order in tatters and gave Australia complete control of the opening stages of the match.

Captain Pat Cummins provided strong support, taking three wickets, while Josh Hazlewood claimed the remaining wicket as Australia’s pace trio ripped through the visitors.

Bangladesh’s innings offered little resistance. No specialist batter managed to produce a substantial score, with No. 11 batter Shoriful Islam emerging as the team’s leading scorer with 14 runs.

Mehidy Hasan Miraz and Taijul Islam each contributed 11, but the lower order could not prevent Bangladesh from being bowled out for one of their lowest Test totals.

The collapse is a dramatic turnaround from the opening match of the series. Bangladesh stunned Australia in the first Test in Darwin, securing a historic nine-wicket victory — their first Test win over Australia on Australian soil.

That result had given Bangladesh enormous confidence and put the hosts under early pressure in the series. However, Starc and Australia’s fast bowlers ensured that the second Test began on an entirely different note.

For Bangladesh, the immediate challenge is to recover from the huge first-innings setback and find a way to contain Australia’s batting. For the hosts, meanwhile, the emphatic bowling performance offers a chance to level the series after their unexpected defeat in Darwin.

Starc’s six-wicket haul has already become the defining moment of the match, with Australia firmly on top after Bangladesh’s dramatic batting collapse.

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