Bangladesh have caught the cricketing world’s attention after dominating Australia through the first two days of their opening Test in Darwin.

Many expected the Tigers to lose inside three days, given the gulf between the two sides and the fact that Bangladesh were playing their first Test in Australia in 23 years. On their previous tour in 2003, they lost both Tests by an innings.

The visitors also arrived Down Under on the back of a Test defeat in Zimbabwe and had an underwhelming preparation, losing their only warm-up match after being bowled out for 54 in the second innings.

Instead, Bangladesh have not only held their own but dominated proceedings over the opening two days, earning widespread praise from former and current international players and experts. Some have even admitted they cannot remember seeing Australia dominated so comprehensively on the opening day of a Test.

Former India off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has now joined the chorus of praise for the Tigers.

“Bangladesh have put Australia on the back foot in Darwin, and that couldn’t have been on anyone’s script,” Ashwin wrote on X on Friday.

“From 54 all out in the warm-up game to dominating the first two days of the first Test. That’s some turnaround. Long may this format live.”

After Bangladesh’s pacers, led by Hasan Mahmud’s career-best 6-55, bowled Australia out for 198 on Day 1, the batters continued the visitors’ dominant showing.

Tanzid Tamim became the first Bangladesh player to score a Test century in Australia as the Tigers reached 351-6 at Stumps on Day 2 on Friday, taking a 153-run lead.

Tanzid struck a superb 101, while captain Najmul Hossain Shanto entertained with an 84-run knock.

Mehidy Hasan Miraz was unbeaten on 32 at the close after being dropped by Cameron Green off the final ball of the day. Hasan Mahmud, meanwhile, was unbeaten on 13, with the pair having added a gritty 40 runs for the seventh wicket.