Bangladesh thrashed Australia by nine wickets on the fourth day of the series-opener in Darwin, completing one of the most significant upsets in the history of Test cricket. The result marks the nation’s first-ever Test victory on Australian soil, a monumental achievement 26 years after they first began competing in the five-day format.
The match statistics highlighted the visitors’ dominance throughout the contest. Australia posted 198 in their first innings, with Steve Smith scoring 71 as Hasan Mahmud claimed 6-55. Bangladesh responded with a commanding 426, featuring a century from Tanzid Hasan (101), 84 from Najmul Hossain Shanto, and 65 from Mehidy Hasan Miraz, despite Josh Hazlewood’s 6-89. Australia managed 284 in their second innings, led by Cameron Green’s 104, before Bangladesh chased the required 57 runs for victory.
The moment Mominul Haque cut Beau Webster to the boundary for the winning runs sparked jubilation among the Bangladesh players and staff. This victory is particularly notable given that Australia are the top-ranked Test nation, while Bangladesh had not played a Test series in the country since a 2-0 defeat in 2003.
Spinner Mehidy Hasan Miraz took center stage on day four, finishing with 5-66 to dismantle the Australian lineup. His performance followed a gritty 65 with the bat on day three. Miraz dismissed Steve Smith, Alex Carey, Beau Webster, and Pat Cummins, before the final resistance was broken by the seamers.
All-rounder Cameron Green provided a valiant 104, but his dismissal by Hasan Mahmud effectively ended Australia’s hopes of saving the match. Mahmud, who claimed 3-56 in the second innings to complement his first-innings haul, was named player of the match for his nine-wicket contribution.
Despite losing opener Tanzid Hasan Tamim for a duck to Josh Hazlewood early in the chase, Mominul Haque’s unbeaten 30 and Shadman Islam’s 25 steered the visitors to a resounding win. Bangladesh finished their second innings at 57-1, cementing a result that captain Najmul Hossain Shanto described as the biggest win in the country’s history across any format.
Reflecting on the loss, Australian captain Pat Cummins admitted, “They outplayed us in all facets, they were patient and disciplined. I thought our prep was spot-on, no excuses.” Commentator Jim Maxwell, speaking on ABC, labeled the result one of the most embarrassing defeats Australia has ever suffered in the format.
This victory is only the second time Bangladesh has defeated Australia in a Test match, with the previous instance occurring at Mirpur in 2017. The visitors are now looking toward the future, with Shanto noting, “Going forward we want to do something special. I’m very happy, proud of myself and the way the boys played. We did a lot of hard work.”
The two-Test series continues with the second match beginning on 22 August at 01:00 BST. Coverage will be available via live commentary on Radio 5 Sports Extra, with ball-by-ball updates provided on Sounds from 00:30 BST each day for UK-based listeners.
The spinner continued his form on day four as he had wicketkeeper Alex Carey caught behind for 30 before bowling all-rounder Webster for five with a pair of sumptuous deliveries to bring Australia’s tail into play.
The 28-year-old then had Australia captain Pat Cummins caught in close for eight, before a defiant 43-run eighth-wicket partnership between Green and Mitchell Starc was ended when Taskin Ahmed had the latter caught behin
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