‘THINK WICKETS, NOT TARGET’

Mehidy Hasan Miraz urged Bangladesh to remain focused on taking wickets rather than thinking about a big target as they eye a possible historic Test victory over Australia on Saturday in Darwin.
Tigers finished the third day in a commanding position, reducing Australia to 161-4 in their second innings after securing a 228-run first-innings lead. The hosts still need 67 runs to make Bangladesh bat again.
But Miraz said Bangladesh were not thinking about how quickly they could finish the match or what target they might eventually have to chase.
“We are not thinking about the future. We are thinking about the present,” the 28-year-old said after the day’s play. “We have to get them out as soon as possible. They need 74 runs, but still we are looking for two or three wickets. If we get two or three wickets, they will be under pressure.”
The Bangladesh vice-captain’s approach reflects the team’s disciplined performance throughout the Test, particularly after Australia were dismissed for 198 in their first innings.
Pacer Hasan Mahmud led the attack with a career-best 6-55 before Bangladesh’s batters spent more than two days at the crease, scoring 426 from 138 overs.
Tanzid Hasan Tamim led the way with a historic maiden Test century, becoming the first Bangladeshi batter to score a Test hundred in Australia. Najmul Hossain Shanto added 84, while Miraz himself made 65.
The lower order then played a crucial role in stretching Bangladesh’s advantage. Hasan faced 92 balls for his 14, while Taijul Islam and Taskin Ahmed contributed 17 and 14 respectively. Their resistance helped Bangladesh move from 351-6 overnight to 426, giving the bowlers a substantial cushion.
Miraz, who batted for nearly four hours, said his own innings had been particularly challenging because Bangladesh were only two runs into their innings when Mushfiqur Rahim was dismissed. “I made the runs with the bowlers,” he said. “For me, it was a little challenging to score runs at that moment.”
That resilience with the bat has now left Bangladesh in a position few expected before the Test. Australia made a positive start to their second innings but Hasan again struck early, dismissing Jack Weatherald and Travis Head. Taijul then removed Marnus Labuschagne for 31 before Miraz produced the key breakthrough of the evening by dismissing Steve Smith for 44.
Smith had scored 71 in the first innings and appeared capable of leading another Australian recovery, but Miraz took a sharp return catch to end his resistance. Still, the pitch remains good for batting, and Miraz knows Bangladesh cannot afford to become impatient. “We are trying to bowl in good areas,” he said. “Every wicket has been difficult to take. We are trying to stop the runs as much as possible.”
He also said the spinners were relying on patience rather than expecting significant assistance from the surface.
“The wicket is not turning that much,” Miraz said. “We are just trying to bowl with patience and in good areas. If we can contain the runs, the chance of getting wickets becomes higher.”
With Cameron Green unbeaten on 43 and Alex Carey on 19, Australia still have a chance to erase the deficit. Miraz, however, wants Bangladesh to concentrate on the first session rather than the final result.
“The first session is very important,” he said. “If we can take wickets, it will be good for us.”