Darwin, Aug 15 (V7N)- Bangladesh continued their impressive batting performance in the Darwin Test, reaching 417 for 8 at lunch on the third day against Australia at the Marrara Oval on Saturday (August 15).
The Tigers have now secured a 219-run first-innings lead over the hosts, with two wickets still in hand. Mehedi Hasan Miraz is unbeaten on 65, while Taskin Ahmed is batting on 12.
Bangladesh resumed the third day's play with the momentum firmly in their favour and added 66 runs while losing two wickets during the morning session.
Josh Hazlewood was Australia's only effective bowler in the session, claiming both wickets. The other Australian bowlers struggled to put sustained pressure on the Bangladeshi batters.
Australia's frustration was compounded by missed opportunities in the field. After Cameron Green dropped a catch on the final delivery of the second day, Steve Smith missed a relatively straightforward chance on Saturday morning, while Travis Head was unable to hold onto a more difficult opportunity.
Mehedi Hasan Miraz has played a crucial role in Bangladesh's strong position, producing a composed unbeaten innings of 65 and helping extend the lead beyond Australia's reach.
The Tigers are now just two wickets away from completing a commanding first-innings total.
The growing lead has also placed Australia in an unusual position. Australia have never successfully chased a target of 200 or more runs in Test cricket, making the prospect of overcoming Bangladesh's advantage a formidable challenge if the Tigers can complete the innings strongly.
END/SMA/AJ
