Australia batted first at Darwin in the opening Test, making 198 after a controversial reprieve for Steve Smith. Smith was given not out on review when appealed for a catch behind off Ebadot Hossain, despite feeling he had nicked the ball. The Snicko showed a flat line, allowing him to continue and finish on 71. The rest of the innings faltered as Hasan Mahmud took a career‑best 6-55 to dismiss the hosts for 198.

Bangladesh reached 96-1 at close, trailing by 102 runs. Opener Shadman Islam was caught behind by Mitchell Starc, but Tanzid Hasan Tamim (32* ) and Mominul Haque (35* ) steadied the chase. The Tigers’ middle order added 60 runs before the final wicket fell, leaving them 102 runs short.

The review sparked fresh debate over Snicko technology. Steve Smith admitted he thought he edged the ball and called the decision a “lucky” reprieve, crediting the tech for saving him. Similar glitches plagued the recent Ashes, including a host wicketkeeper’s mistaken dismissal and an English keeper’s contentious catches.

Australia have never lost a home Test to Bangladesh, with only one previous defeat – at Mirpur 2017. This first of a two‑Test series set the tone for a competitive contest as both sides look to assert dominance on the sub‑continent’s tropical pitches.