Australia and Bangladesh are contesting the opening Test of the two-match series at the Marrara Cricket Ground in Darwin. The match began on Thursday, August 13, with the hosts bowled out for just 198 in 53 overs after opting to bat first. In response, Bangladesh, powered by Tanzid Hasan Tamim’s 101 off 197 balls, ended Day 2 on 351/6 after 110 overs, taking a 153-run lead.The ongoing assignment marks only the fourth Test series between the two sides and their first in Australia since 2003.
During the 2003 series, Australia whitewashed Bangladesh 2-0.The first Test of that series was also played in Darwin, where Australia secured an innings-and-132-run victory. On that note, here’s a look at Bangladesh’s 2003 XI from the last time they played a Test in Darwin, before the ongoing series.Top order: Hannan Sarkar, Javed Omer, Habibul BasharIn the 2003 Darwin Test between Australia and Bangladesh, opener Hannan Sarkar had a modest outing, scoring 0 and 35 in the two innings.
During his international career, he featured in 37 games across Tests and ODIs, scoring 1,045 runs at an average of 19.71, including eight fifties. The 43-year-old was recently appointed head coach of Bangladesh U-19 in June 2026.His opening partner in the Darwin Test, Javed Omer, endured a difficult outing, managing just 10 runs across the two innings. According to New Age, he was among 30 coaches who completed a Level 3 coaching course under the Bangladesh Cricket Board in April 2026.Habibul Bashar batted at No.
3 for Bangladesh in the 2003 Test against
3 for Bangladesh in the 2003 Test against Australia, scoring 70 runs across the two innings, including one fifty. The 53-year-old currently serves as the chief selector of the Bangladesh men’s cricket team, having been appointed to the role in March 2026, replacing Gazi Ashraf Hossain.Middle order: Mohammad Ashraful, Al Sahariar, Alok Kapali, Khaled MashudRight-handed batter Mohammad Ashraful scored 30 runs across the two innings in the match.
In 2014, he received an eight-year ban, with three years suspended, from the BPL anti-corruption tribunal for his involvement in match-fixing and spot-fixing during the 2013 Bangladesh Premier League. The punishment was later reduced to five years, with two years suspended.Ashraful returned to domestic cricket during the 2017-18 season and continued playing until 2023, with his final List A appearance coming in April that year.
He has since moved into coaching and media roles and currently serves as the Bangladesh national team’s batting coach.Next is Al Sahariar, who scored 0 and 36 in the two innings in the Test in Darwin. He last played domestic cricket in 2007 before moving to New Zealand with his current whereabouts remaining undisclosed.Alok Kapali also endured a difficult outing, recording ducks in both innings.
Although he last played international cricket in 2011,
Although he last played international cricket in 2011, he continued to feature in Bangladesh’s domestic circuit, with his most recent List A appearance coming in April 2025 in the Dhaka Premier Division Cricket League.Former Bangladesh wicketkeeper Khaled Mashud scored 17 runs in the Darwin Test. The 50-year-old was elected as a director of the Bangladesh Cricket Board in October 2025 but is no longer on the board following its dissolution in April 2026.Lower order: Khaled Mahmud, Mashrafe Mortaza, Tapash Baisya, Manjurul IslamKhaled Mahmud led Bangladesh in the 2003 Darwin Test against Australia.
He retired from international cricket in February 2006 and most recently returned to the Bangladesh Cricket Board in July 2026 as a consultant for age-group cricket.Former Bangladesh captain Mashrafe Mortaza was also part of the side, taking three wickets in the match. He made his final international appearance in 2020, having already entered politics in 2018. He served as the Member of Parliament for Narail-2 from 2019 to 2024 as an Awami League representative.
Since the political transition in Bangladesh in 2024, he has largely stayed out of the public spotlight.Tapash Baisya claimed one wicket in the Test against Australia in Darwin. During his international career, he featured in 21 Tests and 56 ODIs. According to New Age, he moved to the USA with his family in 2016 and completed his Level 2 coaching qualification. He later joined Das Academy as a coach and also represented the New Jersey Black Caps.The final player on the list is Manjurul Islam.
According to ESPNcricinfo, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) banned him from all activities under its jurisdiction in February 2026 after an independent inquiry found that some of his actions amounted to misconduct and harassment.The investigation followed a complaint filed by former Bangladesh women’s captain Jahanara Alam in November 2025 over alleged inappropriate behaviour during the 2022 Women’s ODI World Cup, when Manjurul was serving as the team’s chief selector and manager.
Source: www.bing.com
