Bangladesh defeated Australia by nine wickets in the first Test of the two-match series, with spinner Mehidy Hasan Miraz producing a decisive spell. Twenty-three years after their first tour of Australia, Bangladesh finally secured their maiden Test victory on Australian soil, with Najmul Hossain Shanto’s side completing the historic triumph in four days. Bangladesh had lost both Tests during their first Australian tour in 2003.
Bangladesh Beat Australia for Historic Test Victory
English Version
Bangladesh defeated Australia by nine wickets in the first Test of the two-match series, with spinner Mehidy Hasan Miraz producing a decisive spell. Twenty-three years after their first tour of Australia, Bangladesh finally secured their maiden Test victory on Australian soil, with Najmul Hossain Shanto’s side completing the historic triumph in four days. Bangladesh had lost both Tests during their first Australian tour in 2003.
The victory represents a watershed moment for Bangladesh cricket. Winning a Test in Australia is a formidable undertaking, and doing so against a strong home side adds further weight to the accomplishment.
This was only the second time Bangladesh have defeated Australia in Test cricket. The first came in 2017, when the Tigers won the Mirpur Test by 20 runs.
This time, however, the setting was entirely different. The victory came at the Marrara Stadium in Darwin, providing Bangladesh with an overseas triumph of considerable magnitude.
Australia Struggle After a Massive First-Innings Deficit
At Darwin’s Marrara Stadium, Australia finished the third day on 161 for four in their second innings after trailing Bangladesh by 228 runs in the first innings. The hosts were still 67 runs behind with six wickets remaining, while Cameron Green was unbeaten on 43 and Alex Carey on 19.
Bangladesh had established the foundation for victory with an imposing first-innings total of 426 after Australia were dismissed for 198.
The 228-run advantage placed Australia under immense pressure. Although the hosts attempted to rebuild their second innings, Bangladesh’s bowling attack returned on the fourth morning with renewed intensity.
Miraz Turns the Screw
Miraz struck the first blow for Bangladesh in the seventh over of the fourth day, when Carey was caught behind by Litton Das for 30. Green and Carey had added 56 runs for the fifth wicket.
Carey’s dismissal opened the door for Bangladesh. Miraz then removed Beau Webster, bowling him for five, before claiming the prized wicket of Australian captain Pat Cummins.
Cummins was caught by Shadman Islam at short leg for only eight, leaving Australia seven wickets down for 207 runs.
The sequence was emblematic of Miraz’s performance. He operated with control and guile, varying his trajectory and exploiting the pressure created by Bangladesh’s field placements.
Australia’s lower order struggled to resist.
Green’s Century Cannot Save Australia
Green and Mitchell Starc added 43 runs for the eighth wicket, taking Australia towards the 250-run mark. Bangladesh pacer Taskin Ahmed ended the partnership by dismissing Starc for 18.
Green continued his resistance alongside Nathan Lyon and eventually reached the third Test century of his career and his first hundred on home soil.
Green was unable to extend his innings after reaching three figures. He was bowled by pacer Hasan Mahmud for 104 from 201 balls, with four fours and one six.
His century gave Australia a temporary glimpse of recovery, but Bangladesh refused to surrender control.
At 278, Green became the ninth Australian batter dismissed. The innings soon collapsed completely.
Miraz trapped Nathan Lyon lbw for 15. Lyon reviewed the decision but could not overturn it. He scored 15 from 27 balls, while Josh Hazlewood remained unbeaten on nought. Australia were eventually bowled out for 284, setting Bangladesh a target of only 57 runs.
Miraz’s Five-Wicket Haul
Miraz was Bangladesh’s leading bowler with five wickets for 66 runs. It was the 15th time in his 59-Test career that he had taken five or more wickets in an innings. Hasan took three wickets, while Taijul Islam and Taskin Ahmed claimed one each.
Miraz’s performance was pivotal. His ability to strike at crucial junctures prevented Australia from transforming promising partnerships into a competitive total.
Yet the Player of the Match award went to Hasan Mahmud.
Hasan was named Player of the Match after taking six wickets for 55 runs in the first innings and three wickets for 56 runs in the second.
The combined effort of Bangladesh’s bowling unit ensured that Australia never regained sufficient momentum.
Bangladesh Complete the Chase
A target of 57 appeared modest, but Australia’s attack briefly raised hopes of an early breakthrough.
Bangladesh lost opener Tanzid Hasan in the second over of the chase. Hazlewood dismissed Tanzid for a duck after the left-hander had scored a magnificent 101 in the first innings.
The early setback, however, proved inconsequential.
Shadman Islam and Mominul Haque took command in the second-wicket partnership, negotiating the Australian bowlers with composure and avoiding unnecessary risks.
The pair added an unbeaten 53-run partnership, taking Bangladesh to victory in just 14.2 overs. Mominul sealed the historic win by striking a boundary off Webster.
Shadman remained unbeaten on 25 with four boundaries, while Mominul finished on 30 not out with two boundaries. Hazlewood took one wicket.
The chase was clinical. Bangladesh did not allow Australia an opening after Tanzid’s early dismissal.
A Landmark Result for Bangladesh
The victory was built on the strength of Bangladesh’s first innings.
Australia scored 198 in the first innings, while Bangladesh amassed 426, giving the Tigers a commanding 228-run lead.
That advantage proved decisive. Bangladesh’s batsmen laid the platform, while the bowlers, spearheaded by Miraz and Hasan, ensured that Australia could not mount a meaningful comeback.
The result also carries historical significance because of Bangladesh’s long wait for a Test victory in Australia. The 2003 tour ended in two defeats, making this triumph a particularly resonant achievement.
Bangladesh Take a 1-0 Series Lead
Bangladesh will enter the second and final Test against Australia in Mackay from August 22 with a 1-0 series lead.
The victory in Darwin gives Bangladesh a rare opportunity to complete a Test series triumph on Australian soil. More importantly, it has demonstrated that the side can compete with Australia away from home and convert pressure into a decisive result.
The second Test will bring a different challenge. Australia will be determined to respond, while Bangladesh will seek to preserve the momentum generated by this historic victory.
For now, however, the significance of Darwin remains unmistakable.
Australia First Innings: 198
Bangladesh First Innings: 426
Australia Second Innings: 284 all out in 95.1 overs (Green 104, Smith 44, Miraz 5/66).
Bangladesh Second Innings: 57/1 in 14.2 overs, target 57 (Shadman 25, Mominul 30, Hazlewood 1/5).**
Result: Bangladesh won by nine wickets.
Series: Bangladesh lead the two-match series 1-0.
