Tanzid Hasan credited a deliberately uncomplicated approach for the century that carried him into Bangladesh’s record books and placed Australia under enormous pressure in the opening Test in Darwin. Playing only his second Test, the 25-year-old opener made 101 from 197 deliveries as Bangladesh reached 351 for six at stumps on Day 2. The visitors established a first-innings lead of 153 after dismissing Australia for 198, their lowest Test total against Bangladesh.
Tanzid became the first Bangladesh batter to score a Test century in Australia, breaking a national record that had remained untouched for 23 years. Hannan Sarkar’s 76 at Cairns in 2003 had previously been the country’s highest Test score on Australian soil. The century was also only the second by a Bangladesh batter against Australia anywhere. Shahriar Nafees had scored 138 at Fatullah in 2006, but, until Tanzid’s intervention, no visiting Bangladesh batter had reached three figures against the Australians.
Tanzid Hasan explains restrained approach
“I was trying to play like what the team required,” Tanzid told Fox Cricket during the tea break on Day 2. “The wicket looked good, and they came to me differently. I was trying to play normal cricket and keep myself calm. I just watched the ball and played to the merit of the ball. I wasn’t trying too much.”
Deep Dive
How did Tanzid Hasan perform during his second Test against Australia?
What partnerships did Tanzid Hasan achieve during his innings?
Why was Tanzid Hasan's century considered historically significant for Bangladesh cricket?
Bangladesh began the second day on 96 for one, still 102 runs behind Australia, with Tanzid unbeaten on 32. Rather than allowing the occasion or Australia’s celebrated attack to dictate his tempo, the naturally aggressive opener settled into an unfamiliar anchoring role. He completed his half-century from 102 balls and combined with Mominul Haque for a 102-run second-wicket partnership. After Mominul departed for 49, Tanzid added another 93 with captain Najmul Hossain Shanto, whose 84 further strengthened Bangladesh’s position.
{{/usCountry}}Bangladesh began the second day on 96 for one, still 102 runs behind Australia, with Tanzid unbeaten on 32. Rather than allowing the occasion or Australia’s celebrated attack to dictate his tempo, the naturally aggressive opener settled into an unfamiliar anchoring role. He completed his half-century from 102 balls and combined with Mominul Haque for a 102-run second-wicket partnership. After Mominul departed for 49, Tanzid added another 93 with captain Najmul Hossain Shanto, whose 84 further strengthened Bangladesh’s position.
{{/usCountry}}The opener required another 86 deliveries to move from fifty to his maiden Test hundred. He reached the landmark by pushing Nathan Lyon towards long-off for a single before celebrating with a leap and a forceful punch of the air.
“Excited to get the opportunity to play here. This is very special for me because this is the first time I’m here. Playing only the second Test match and making a hundred, so it’s very special for me,” Tanzid said. Tanzid eventually attempted to attack Lyon and was caught by Mitchell Starc at long-off. His nearly five-hour innings contained eight fours and one straight six off Beau Webster.
Beyond the Bangladesh records, Tanzid became only the second Asian batter to score a century in his maiden Test innings in Australia. Pakistan's great Hanif Mohammad was the first, making 104 at Melbourne in 1964. Tanzid’s hundred also ended Bangladesh’s four-year wait for an overseas Test century. Mahmudul Hasan Joy’s 137 against South Africa in Durban in April 2022 had been their most recent away from home.
The achievement carried additional weight because Bangladesh were playing only their third Test in Australia and their first in the country since 2003. Against Pat Cummins, Starc, Josh Hazlewood and Lyon, Tanzid transformed a rare opportunity into an innings of enduring significance.