Bangladesh pulled off one of the biggest upsets in recent Test cricket history, defeating Australia by nine wickets in the first Test in Darwin on Sunday to secure their maiden Test victory on Australian soil.
Chasing just 57 runs for victory after bowling Australia out for 284 in their second innings, Bangladesh completed the target with ease. Mominul Haque struck Beau Webster through backward point to seal a memorable win.
Bangladesh dominated the match from the outset. After dismissing Australia for 198 in the first innings, the visitors produced a determined batting display, led by Tanzid Hasan’s maiden Test century, to post 426 and take a commanding lead.
The Bangladesh batters also kept Australia’s bowlers in the field for 138 overs in Darwin’s heat and humidity, before their spinners and seamers maintained relentless pressure in Australia’s second innings.
Resuming at 161-4 on Sunday, Australia briefly raised hopes of a recovery through Cameron Green and Alex Carey. Carey survived early chances before Mehidy Hasan Miraz produced a sharp-turning delivery to edge him to wicketkeeper Litton Das.
Mehidy struck again soon after, bowling Webster for five before dismissing captain Pat Cummins for 11, leaving Australia 207-7 and still behind Bangladesh’s first-innings total.
Green fought on and reached his third Test century, but his resistance ended when Hasan Mahmud delivered a ball that kept low and crashed into the stumps.
Mehidy then completed his five-wicket haul by trapping Nathan Lyon leg before wicket, finishing with impressive figures of 5-66.
Despite losing Tanzid Hasan in the opening over of the chase, Mominul Haque and Shadman Islam calmly guided Bangladesh to victory.
The result is particularly remarkable given Bangladesh’s difficult preparation. Their only warm-up match against a Cricket Australia XI ended in a heavy defeat, including a second-innings collapse for just 54.
Australia, meanwhile, fielded their strongest available side but struggled throughout the Test, with their batting failing in both innings and their renowned bowling attack unable to contain Bangladesh’s determined batsmen.
The historic victory gives Bangladesh their first Test win on Australian soil and marks one of the most significant results in the country’s Test cricket history.