Shoriful Islam matches a rare Test achievement against Australia, a milestone not seen since Dick Barlow's time 140 years ago.

In a remarkable display of skill, Shoriful Islam etched his name in cricket history by becoming the first left-arm fast bowler in 140 years to secure a seven-wicket haul in a Test innings against Australia. The 25-year-old from Panchagarh delivered an outstanding performance during the second Test match held at the Great Barrier Reef Arena in Mackay, where he recorded impressive bowling figures of 7 for 48 across 15 overs, leading to Australia’s dismissal for 210 runs in their first innings.

Shoriful's achievement is particularly significant as it places him among an elite group of left-arm fast bowlers who have accomplished this feat against Australia. The last bowler to achieve a similar milestone was England's Dick Barlow, who took 7 for 44 during the second innings of a Test match in Manchester from July 5 to 7, 1886. Barlow had previously claimed seven wickets against Australia in a Test in Sydney in January 1883. Additionally, Tom Emmett was the first left-arm pacer to take seven or more wickets in a Test innings against Australia, achieving 7 for 68 in the first innings of the Melbourne Test from January 2 to 4, 1879.

Shoriful's seven-wicket haul places him as only the fourth left-arm fast bowler to achieve this against Australia, a testament to his talent and potential. However, the record for the best bowling figures by a left-arm bowler against Australia remains with former England spinner Hedley Verity, who took 8 for 43 in the second innings of the Lord’s Test in 1934. The overall best figures in Test cricket against Australia are held by England's Jim Laker, who famously took all 10 wickets for just 53 runs in a Test match in Manchester in July 1956.