Darwin witnesses Bangladesh’s historic maiden Test win in Australia
Bangladesh has achieved a significant milestone in its cricketing history, securing its first-ever Test victory against Australia on Australian soil. The team clinched a dominant nine-wicket win in the series-opener held in Darwin.
This historic triumph adds to Bangladesh’s growing list of landmark Test victories, which now includes wins against formidable opponents such as Pakistan, New Zealand, England, and West Indies.
Dominant Performance in Darwin
In the first Test in Darwin, Australia batted first and was bowled out for 198 in their initial innings. Hasan Mahmud spearheaded Bangladesh’s bowling attack, claiming a six-wicket haul that significantly disrupted the home side’s batting lineup.
Responding to Australia’s total, Bangladesh capitalized on the advantage by posting a substantial 426 in their first innings. This strong batting performance established a commanding 228-run lead. During this innings, Tanzid Hasan scored a century, while Mehidy Hasan Miraz and Najmul Hossain Shanto both contributed with half-centuries.
Bangladesh maintained their control in Australia’s second innings, bowling them out for 284. Mehidy Hasan Miraz delivered a stellar performance, securing a five-wicket haul, and Hasan Mahmud added another three wickets, bringing his match total to nine. With just 57 runs required for victory, Bangladesh comfortably chased down the target, completing a decisive nine-wicket win on the fourth day.
Previous Landmark Victories
Bangladesh’s recent success in Australia follows a series of other notable Test victories. In 2017, Bangladesh recorded their first-ever Test win over Australia in Mirpur. In that match, Bangladesh secured a 20-run victory on a turning track. After posting 260 in their first innings, led by Shakib Al Hasan’s 84 and Tamim Iqbal’s 71, Australia was bowled out for 217, with Shakib taking a five-wicket haul. Tamim then scored 78 and captain Mushfiqur Rahim added 41, helping Bangladesh reach 221 and set Australia a target of 265. Despite David Warner’s century, Bangladesh’s spinners, including Shakib with another five-wicket haul, Mehidy Hasan Miraz with two wickets, and Taijul Islam with three, bowled Australia out for 244 to seal the win.
Another significant achievement came in 2022 when Bangladesh stunned the then ICC World Test Champions New Zealand by eight wickets in Mount Maunganui. New Zealand initially posted 328, but Bangladesh responded with a collective batting effort to reach 458, gaining a 130-run first-innings lead. In the second innings, Ebadot Hossain’s sensational six-wicket haul helped dismiss New Zealand for just 169, leaving Bangladesh with only 40 runs to chase for their first Test win over New Zealand.
In 2024, Bangladesh toured Pakistan and secured their first-ever Test victory against their Asian rivals, eventually completing a historic series sweep. In the first Test, Pakistan declared at 448 with centuries from Saud Shakeel and Mohammad Rizwan. Bangladesh responded strongly with 565, featuring a magnificent 191 from Mushfiqur Rahim, 93 from Shadman Islam, and half-centuries from Mominul Haque, Litton Das, and Mehidy Hasan Miraz. With a 117-run first-innings lead, Bangladesh’s bowlers dismissed Pakistan for 174, with Mehidy Hasan Miraz taking four wickets and Shakib Al Hasan three, setting up a 30-run chase which they completed without losing a wicket for a 10-wicket victory. They then carried this momentum to complete a 2-0 series triumph.
Other Notable Test Wins
Bangladesh also registered their first overseas Test victory in 2009 in Kingstown, securing a 95-run win over West Indies, with Shakib Al Hasan and Mahmudullah leading the bowling attack on the final day. In 2016, teenage off-spinner Mehidy Hasan Miraz played a starring role against England in Dhaka, taking 12 wickets in the match, including six in each innings, to help Bangladesh secure a series-levelling victory.
The recent nine-wicket win in Darwin marks a significant moment for Bangladesh cricket, showcasing their growing strength in the Test arena.
This victory in Darwin on Sunday is a testament to the team’s evolving performance in Test cricket.
Source: icc-cricket.com
