In one of the most shocking upsets in the history of Test cricket, ninth-ranked Bangladesh has defeated the world’s top-ranked Test side Australia by nine wickets on the fourth day of the opening match of their two-Test series in Darwin, securing the nation’s first ever Test win on Australian soil.
The result cements this victory as the most consequential win in Bangladesh’s 26-year history of Test cricket, a milestone made even more remarkable by the challenges Bangladesh overcame to claim the upset. Entering the match missing two of their star fast bowlers, Nahid Rana and Shoriful Islam, to injury, the side had also suffered a demoralizing 54-all-out defeat in a warm-up match against a Cricket Australia XI just days prior, and had been handily beaten by lowest-ranked Zimbabwe in a one-off Test in Harare back in June. None of these setbacks, however, derailed the Bangladeshi side’s focus across the four days of play.
After Bangladesh posted a solid first innings total of 426, powered by century-maker Tanzid Hasan Tamim (101), 84 from captain Najmul Hossain Shanto, and a gritty 65 from spinner Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Australia’s attack led by Josh Hazlewood (6-89) could not prevent the underdogs from claiming a substantial first innings lead. Left-arm seamer Hasan Mahmud then tore through Australia’s first innings, taking 6 wickets for just 55 runs to bundle the hosts out for 198, putting Bangladesh firmly in control from the earliest stages of the match.
Australia’s second innings saw a valiant fight from all-rounder Cameron Green, who notched his third Test century on home soil amid recent public criticism over his position in the national side. But Green’s 104 was not enough to turn the tide: Miraz delivered a devastating five-wicket haul (5-66) on day four, dismissing key Australian batters including talisman Steve Smith, captain Pat Cummins, and leading spinner Nathan Lyon. Mahmud wrapped up the innings by removing Green, leaving Bangladesh with a modest target of just 57 runs to claim victory.
Though Hazlewood removed opener Tanzid for a duck early in the chase, Mominul Haque’s unbeaten 30 and Shadman Islam’s 25 guided Bangladesh across the finish line, with Haque cutting Beau Webster to the boundary for the winning runs. The moment triggered wild celebrations from Bangladesh’s players and coaching staff, who had achieved a result many considered impossible.
Mahmud, who finished with match figures of 9 wickets for 111 runs, was named Player of the Match for his dominant performance with the ball. Speaking after the win, Shanto called the upset the biggest victory in Bangladesh’s cricketing history across any format. “I’m very happy, proud of myself and the way the boys played. We did a lot of hard work,” Shanto said, adding that a shift in mindset among the team’s fast bowlers had been key to the result. “Five years ago, pacers didn’t want to play Tests. But we’ve been playing lots of Test cricket and they are giving importance to Test format. Seniors like Mushfiqur Rahim and Mominul Haque have encouraged them to play more Test cricket.”
Australian captain Pat Cummins offered no excuses for the defeat, acknowledging that Bangladesh had outperformed his side in every department of the game. “They outplayed us in all facets, they were patient and disciplined,” Cummins said. “I thought our prep was spot-on, no excuses.” Veteran cricket commentator Jim Maxwell described the result as one of the most embarrassing defeats Australia has ever suffered in Test cricket, while Bangladesh’s Prime Minister Tarique Rahman publicly congratulated the team in a social media message, saying the nation was eagerly waiting to welcome the side home with their historic win.
This result marks only the second time Bangladesh has beaten Australia in Test cricket, with their first win coming at Mirpur in 2017. The two sides will now turn their attention to the second Test of the series, which is set to begin on August 22, with live ball-by-ball commentary available for UK listeners on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra and BBC Sounds.