Bangladesh deliver historic upset with first Test victory in Australia
Mehidy Hasan Miraz’s four-wicket haul on day four dismantles Australia’s resistance as Cameron Green’s century proves insufficient in stifling Darwin heat.
Bangladesh have secured their first-ever Test cricket victory in Australia, defeating the host nation by nine wickets in the series opener at Marrara Oval in Darwin. The result, achieved within four days under stifling heat, represents one of the most significant upsets in the history of the longest format of the game, as the South Asian side overcame the world’s top-ranked Test team on their own soil.
Chasing a target of 57 runs, Bangladesh dominated proceedings throughout the match. Mominul Haque hit the winning boundary, cutting Beau Webster to the fence, to complete the landmark victory and trigger jubilation among the visiting players. The win ends a 26-year wait for a Test victory in Australia, a nation that had not hosted Bangladesh in a second Test series since sweeping them 2-0 in 2003.
The match was defined by Bangladesh’s comprehensive dominance with bat, ball, and in the field. While Australia captain Pat Cummins had previously led the World Test Championship leaders, the pressure mounted on day four as Australia resumed on 161 for four, still trailing by 67 runs. The turning point came when spin-bowling all-rounder Mehidy Hasan Miraz struck decisive blows to dismantle the Australian tail.
Miraz, who had scored 65 with the bat in Bangladesh’s first innings and dismissed Steve Smith for 44 on day three, took four wickets on the final day. He dismissed wicketkeeper Alex Carey for 30 and all-rounder Webster for five with consecutive deliveries, while also inducing a bat-pad catch for Shadman Islam. Australia captain Pat Cummins was caught in close for eight before Mitchell Starc was caught behind for 18 off seamer Taskin Ahmed.
Despite a defiant eighth-wicket partnership of 43 between Starc and Cameron Green, Australia could not withstand the pressure. Green, responding to critics regarding his place in the side, raised his third Test century and first on home soil with a score of 104. However, he was bowled by Hasan Mahmud for Australia’s ninth wicket of the match, leaving the hosts all out for 284 in their second innings.
Miraz described the victory as a testament to the team’s character. “It was excellent. A great moment for us,” he said. “The way we are playing shows our character. Everything was perfect.” The result sends shockwaves through the cricketing world, validating Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto’s side’s determination to prove their worth against a full-strength Australian team.
