Bangladesh achieved a historic nine-wicket Test win over Australia in the series opener in Darwin on Sunday, chasing down 57 runs within four days in stifling heat at Marrara Oval. The winning boundary was hit by Mominul Haque, who cut Beau Webster to the fence to seal Bangladesh’s first Test win in Australia. This victory is considered one of Test cricket’s greatest upsets, with Bangladesh defeating a full-strength Australia, the world’s top-ranked Test nation, in their own backyard.
The winning boundary triggered jubilation among Bangladesh’s players.
Bangladesh’s win will be regarded by many as the South Asian nation’s finest victory in 26 years of playing the game’s longest format.
It took 23 years for Australia to host Bangladesh in a second Test series, after sweeping them 2-0 in 2003.
Related: Tax agency hunts contractor data to curb graft
Najmul Hossain Shanto’s side were determined to prove their worth, and they did far more than that, dominating the World Test Championship leaders with bat, ball, and in the field in virtually every session. Bangladesh had heroes throughout the match, but on day four, it was spin-bowling all-rounder Mehidy Hasan Miraz standing up to strike the decisive blows as Australia were bowled out for 284.
Miraz took another four wickets on the final day after Australia resumed on 161 for four, still 67 runs in arrears. He had wicketkeeper Alex Carey caught behind for 30 and bowled all-rounder Beau Webster for five with a pair of sumptuous deliveries to bring Australia’s tail into play. Australia captain Pat Cummins was caught in close for eight, with Miraz inducing a bat-pad catch for Shadman Islam.
Mitchell Starc dug in with Cameron Green for a defiant eighth-wicket partnership of 43, but he was caught behind for 18 off the bowling of fellow seamer Taskin Ahmed. Green held on to raise his third Test century and first on home soil after lunch with two runs off Taskin. The knock was a timely response to critics of Green’s place in the side, but he was bowled soon after for 104, becoming Hasan Mahmud’s ninth wicket of the match by playing on to his stumps.
Related: Polish clothing giant halts Bangladesh sourcing over $40m
With only a 50-run lead and tailenders Nathan Lyon and Josh Hazlewood clinging to the last wicket, Green’s departure was effectively game over for Australia. Miraz wrapped up Australia’s innings by trapping fellow spinner Lyon lbw for 15.
They then efficiently mowed down the runs.
Opener Tanzid Hasan was bowled by Josh Hazlewood for a duck, but may hardly care, having scored a majestic 101 in the first innings to help Bangladesh put 426 on the board in reply to Australia’s paltry 198. Bangladesh’s win is a significant upset, and it will be interesting to see how they build on this momentum in the rest of the series.
Miraz said, “It was excellent, a great moment for us. The way we are playing shows our character. Everything was perfect.”
The grinning 28-year-old’s performance was instrumental in Bangladesh’s win, and his comments reflect the team’s excitement and pride in their achievement.