Some victories are remembered for the scoreline. Others for what they express about a team. Bangladesh’s win over Australia belongs firmly in the latter category, and stands as one of the greatest victories in the country’s cricket history.
In Darwin, that story unfolded like a classic David-and-Goliath contest, with Bangladesh, the underdog ranked 9, standing tall against the world’s No.1 Test side.
Twenty-three years after first setting foot on Australian soil for a Test, Bangladesh returned to the country and turned the contest on its head. At Marrara Stadium in Darwin, they chased down just 57 runs in the fourth innings to seal a stunning nine-wicket victory over the hosts, marking their first Test win on Australian soil.
Remarkably, Bangladesh needed only three Tests in Australia to register their first victory there, the fastest among Asian teams. Pakistan needed seven Tests to achieve their first win in Australia, while India had to wait until their 12th Test. Sri Lanka, despite playing 15 Tests in Australia, are still waiting for their first victory.
The result also ended a remarkable 31-year wait for Australia, who had not lost a home Test to an Asian side other than India since 1995.
The foundation for the historic victory was laid by Bangladesh’s bowlers. Hasan Mahmud ran through Australia’s top order in the first innings, claiming a career-best 6/55 from 17 overs, including three maidens, as the hosts were bowled out for 198.
In reply, Tanzid Hasan Tamim struck his maiden Test century, while captain Najmul Hossain Shanto made 84 and Mehidy Hasan Miraz added a crucial 65 to help Bangladesh post 426 and take a commanding 228-run lead.
Australia fought back in the second innings but could manage only 284. Cameron Green offered the strongest resistance with a determined 104, but Hasan Mahmud eventually removed him before Mehidy Hasan Miraz dismissed Nathan Lyon for 15 to complete his 15th five-wicket haul in Test cricket. Miraz’s figure of 5/66 ensured Australia could set Bangladesh only 57 for victory.
Chasing 57, Bangladesh suffered an early scare when Josh Hazlewood dismissed Tanzid Hasan for a duck, reducing them to 4/1. But Mominul Haque and Shadman Islam quickly settled the nerves, guiding Bangladesh home with ease. Shadman remained unbeaten on 25, while Mominul finished on 26 not out, hitting the winning boundary.
The victory completed a remarkable full-circle moment for Bangladesh cricket. In 2003, they played their first Test against Australia at the same ground in Darwin and were beaten by an innings and 132 runs inside three days. Twenty-three years later, at the very same venue, Bangladesh dominated the hosts across four days and 12 sessions to produce one of the biggest upsets in their Test history.
Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto described it as the greatest victory in the country’s history across formats.
“Across all formats, this is Bangladesh’s biggest win so far. I am very happy. I am proud of myself and the way the boys played. We have worked very hard,” Shanto said at the post-match presentation.
Australia captain Pat Cummins also admitted that his side had been comprehensively outplayed.
“I think they outplayed us in all facets, really. I thought they were really patient and quite disciplined. And, yeah, once we were behind, it was really hard to get back,” Cummins said.
For Hasan Mahmud, the victory was a personal landmark as well. His six-wicket haul in the first innings and two more wickets in the second gave him eight wickets in the match and earned him the Player of the Match award.
What began on the opening morning as a Test expected to favour Australia’s pace attack ended with Bangladesh dictating the terms. They bowled Australia out twice, produced a maiden Test century from Tanzid, watched Miraz claim a match-winning 10 wickets and then calmly completed the chase.
