Shoriful Islam's Historic Seven-Wicket Haul Against Australia
Bangladesh's Shoriful Islam produced a historic bowling performance in the second Test against Australia at the Great Barrier Reef Arena in Mackay, taking a seven-wicket haul in an innings. The 25-year-old left-arm pacer finished with figures of 7/48 from 15 overs as Australia were bowled out for 210 in their first innings.
According to Times Now, Islam took 7-47, while The Times of India reported 7/48. Both outlets agree that this was the first time in 140 years that a left-arm fast bowler had taken seven wickets in a Test innings against Australia. The last to do so was England's Dick Barlow, who took 7/44 in the Manchester Test in July 1886. Barlow had also taken seven wickets against Australia in the Sydney Test in January 1883.
Islam's achievement places him among a select group of left-arm pacers. The first left-arm pacer to take seven or more wickets in a Test innings against Australia was England's Tom Emmett, who took 7/68 in the Melbourne Test in January 1879. Islam is now only the fourth left-arm fast bowler to achieve this feat against Australia, according to The Times of India.
In addition to his bowling, Islam top-scored for Bangladesh in their first innings with 14 runs (Times Now reported 13). Despite his efforts, Bangladesh were bowled out for a low total and ultimately lost the match by an innings and 51 runs inside two days, with only 750 balls bowled—one of the shortest Test matches in history. The defeat leveled the series at 1-1, following Bangladesh's historic victory in the opener in Darwin.
Islam's figures were the best by a Bangladeshi pacer in Test cricket history, making him the first pacer from his country to take a seven-for in an innings. The previous record for a Bangladeshi pacer was held by Shahbat Hossain, who took 6-27 against South Africa in 2008 at the Sher-E-Bangla Stadium in Mirpur. Additionally, Edabot Hossain held the record for the best away figures for a Bangladesh pacer with 6-46 against New Zealand at Mount Maunganui in 2022.
While Islam's feat is remarkable, the best bowling figures by a left-arm bowler against Australia remain with England's Hedley Verity, who took 8/43 in the Lord's Test in 1934. The overall best bowling figures against Australia in Test cricket are Jim Laker's 10/53 in the Manchester Test in July 1956.
Islam's top score of 14 (or 13) in the first innings marked a rare instance where a number 11 batter finished as the team's leading run-getter. It was the 13th such instance in Test history, the first against Australia, and the second for Bangladesh after Talha Jubair's 31 against India in 2004. His tally is the joint-lowest top score in a Test innings when a number 11 batter made the most runs, alongside Nathan Lyon when Australia were bowled out for 47 against South Africa at Cape Town in 2011.
Despite the defeat, Islam's performance will be remembered as a standout moment for Bangladesh cricket.