Bangladesh seal landmark Test victory
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DARWIN, Australia (AP):
Bangladesh completed a stunning nine-wicket victory over Australia in the first Test yesterday, securing their first win on Australian soil and only their second triumph over the top-ranked side.
After scoring a vital half-century in the first innings, Mehidy Hasan Miraz produced a superb five-wicket haul in Australia’s second innings to limit the hosts to 284, giving Bangladesh a modest target of 57 at Marrara Oval.
Bangladesh wobbled early when Josh Hazlewood (1–5) removed first-innings centurion Tanzid Hasan for a duck. But Shadman Islam (25 not out) and Mominul Haque (30 not out) held firm, steering their side to 59 for one in 14.2 overs and triggering wild celebrations among Bangladesh supporters gathered behind the team dugout.
“This is the biggest win so far for Bangladesh in any format,” captain Najmul Hossain Shanto said. “We will do something special in the future.”
The historic result was celebrated back home as well, with Shanto receiving a congratulatory video call from Bangladesh Prime Minister Tarique Rahman in the dressing room.
GREEN’S LONE RESISTANCE
Australia’s innings was anchored by Cameron Green, who struck his third Test century – and his first on home soil – making a composed 104 from 201 balls. His effort kept Australia afloat after home captain Pat Cummins won the toss and chose to bat.
Australia mustered only 198 in their first innings, with Hasan Mahmud claiming a brilliant 6–55. Bangladesh then capitalised as the pitch settled, posting 426 to take a commanding 228-run lead. That advantage proved decisive, despite Green’s breakthrough century, as Bangladesh sealed a historic victory – only their second against Australia, following their maiden win in Dhaka in 2017.
For Australia, the defeat ranks among the most humbling home reverses in their 149-year Test history, with pressure now mounting on selectors ahead of the second Test in Mackay on August 22.
“I think every time there’s a game like this, you always look at your match-ups and your make-up with the team for the next one,” Cummins said. “We’re pretty good at bouncing back, so no doubt the batters and every group will get together and have a good think about this one and where we can improve.”
MEHIDY SHUTS THE DOOR
Australia resumed day four at 161–4 with Green and Alex Carey at the crease, still with a faint chance of pushing the match deeper. Mehidy (5–66) quickly extinguished that hope with a decisive spell either side of lunch, adding four wickets to his late Day 3 dismissal of Steve Smith.
He removed Carey for 30, with Litton Das taking a sharp catch behind. Mehidy then produced a superb delivery that straightened past Beau Webster (5) and clipped off stump, leaving Australia 193–6 and still trailing by 35.
Cummins’ stay was brief, offering a catch to Hasan Miraz at short leg to give Mehidy his third wicket of the morning.
Green remained Australia’s lone defiance, combining with the tail to avoid an innings defeat. He reached his century after lunch from 192 balls, striking four boundaries and a six – an understated celebration reflecting Australia’s dire position.
His vigil ended when a delivery from Mahmud (3–56) kept low and bowled him for 104, closing Australia’s resistance and clearing the path for Bangladesh’s historic triumph.