Former Bangladesh bowling coach Allan Donald has praised the remarkable development of the Tigers’ pace bowlers after their historic nine-wicket Test victory over Australia in Darwin, saying he is “really proud” of how far they have come over the last five years.
Speaking to cricket-based website CricBlog.com, the South African great credited Bangladesh’s bowlers for their fearless approach and singled out Hasan Mahmud’s outstanding performance in the historic win.
Hasan was named Player of the Match after taking nine wickets in the Test, including a career-best six-wicket haul in Australia’s first innings. Donald was particularly pleased to see the young pacer reap the benefits of his recent County Cricket experience with Kent.
“I’m so pleased for Hasan because… it was a proper team performance and especially with the ball,” Donald said.
“First up, Hasan really impressed with Kent. I’m so happy for him that he’s getting out there.
“I mean, County Cricket is the greatest stepping stone for any fast bowler to go and discover yourself. And I know he’s got a bit to go and I know that Shoriful [Islam] is about to also join Kent.”
Donald, who served as Bangladesh’s bowling coach from 2022 to 2024, said the growth of the country’s fast bowlers has been particularly satisfying to watch.
“Really proud. I know that Shaun Tait has had a lot to do with this as well, but how these kids have grown in the last five years is just incredible,” he said.
“And just the mindset that they’ve embraced, you know, the attitude of not taking a backward step, of backing themselves, of getting in it and in the fight is great to see, it really is.”
Donald also praised the collective effort of Bangladesh’s bowling attack, with Taskin Ahmed, Ebadot Hossain and the spinners supporting Hasan throughout the match.
“It was a valiant performance. First of all, I mean, to bowl Australia out with Hasan Mahmud in such magnificent form. And then all the support came from Taskin and Ebadot and the spinners did their thing as they normally do,” he said.
The former South Africa pacer was equally impressed by Bangladesh’s response after they were bowled out for just 54 against a Cricket Australia XI in their warm-up match before the Test.
“To come back from the warm-up game... where they got bowled out for 54, then to go into that Test match maybe with all those horrible flashbacks from getting bowled out for 54, I think, yeah, what a great comeback,” Donald said.
“What a great response by beating this Australian team.”
He also highlighted Bangladesh’s aggressive batting and overall team performance, while warning that the Tigers will face a much tougher challenge when Australia respond in the next Test.
“With the bat, Bangladesh were brilliant, brilliant and aggressive, so it was just all in all a magnificent team performance that they can feel very proud of,” Donald said.
“It’s a wonderful team performance… one of the great away wins.”
Donald believes Bangladesh now have an opportunity to create even more history, but knows Australia will be determined to bounce back.
“They could win a series in Australia and create more history,” he said. “So lots on the cards for the Bangladeshi team. Great to see, but they’re going to have to do it again against [a] strong Australian team.”