Bangladesh has achieved a significant milestone in its cricketing history, securing its first-ever Test victory against Australia on Australian soil. The team triumphed with a dominant nine-wicket win in the series opener held in Darwin.
This historic win adds to Bangladesh‘s growing list of landmark Test victories, which includes past successes against teams such as Pakistan, New Zealand, England, and West Indies. The recent performance in Darwin showcased a strong collective effort from the touring side.
Key Performances in Darwin
In the Darwin match, Australia batted first and was bowled out for 198 runs in their initial innings. Hasan Mahmud played a crucial role in dismantling the home side’s batting lineup, claiming a six-wicket haul. This strong bowling display set the stage for Bangladesh to take control of the match.
Responding to Australia‘s total, Bangladesh posted a formidable 426 runs in their first innings, establishing a significant 228-run lead. Tanzid Hasan was a standout performer, scoring a century that anchored the innings. Additionally, Mehidy Hasan Miraz and Najmul Hossain Shanto both contributed valuable half-centuries, further solidifying Bangladesh‘s position.
Bangladesh maintained their advantage in Australia‘s second innings, bowling them out for 284. Mehidy Hasan Miraz delivered a stellar performance, securing a five-wicket haul. Hasan Mahmud continued his impressive form, adding another three wickets to his tally, bringing his match total to nine wickets. With only 57 runs required for victory, Bangladesh comfortably chased down the target on the fourth day, sealing a nine-wicket win.
Previous Landmark Victories
The victory in Darwin follows other notable achievements for Bangladesh in Test cricket. In 2017, Bangladesh recorded their first-ever Test victory over Australia in Mirpur, securing a 20-run win on a turning track. In that match, Shakib Al Hasan was instrumental, scoring 84 runs and taking a five-wicket haul in Australia‘s first innings. Tamim Iqbal also contributed significantly with 71 runs. In the second innings, Tamim scored 78 and captain Mushfiqur Rahim added 41, setting Australia a target of 265. Shakib completed another five-wicket haul, and Mehidy Hasan Miraz claimed two wickets, contributing to Australia being bowled out for 244.
In 2022, Bangladesh began the year with a significant victory against New Zealand in Mount Maunganui, stunning the then ICC World Test Champions by eight wickets. After New Zealand posted 328, Bangladesh responded with 458, securing a 130-run first-innings lead. Ebadot Hossain led the bowling attack in the second innings with a sensational six-wicket haul, helping to bowl out New Zealand for 169. Bangladesh then comfortably chased down the 40 runs needed for victory.
More recently, in 2024, Bangladesh toured Pakistan and achieved their first-ever Test victory against their Asian rivals, ultimately 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 runs, 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, including Mehidy Hasan Miraz with four wickets and Shakib Al Hasan with three, dismissed Pakistan for 174, leaving Bangladesh with just 30 runs to win, which they completed without losing a wicket.
The team carried this momentum into the second Test against Pakistan, securing another memorable result to complete a 2-0 series triumph. In that match, Bangladesh recovered from 26-6 in their first innings to post 262, thanks to Litton Das‘ 138, before securing a six-wicket victory.
Other significant victories include Bangladesh‘s win against England in Dhaka in 2016, where Mehidy Hasan Miraz took 12 wickets in the match, and their first overseas Test victory in 2009 against West Indies in Kingstown, securing a 95-run win.
The recent nine-wicket win in Darwin marks a significant moment for Bangladesh cricket.
Source: icc-cricket.com
