Bangladesh Script History, Beat Australia in Test Cricket for First Time on Australian Soil
Historical moment for Bangladesh Men’s cricket as they registered their first-ever Test victory over Australia on Australian soil. In the first of the two-match Test series in Darwin, Bangladesh stunned the Aussies by 9 wickets to take a 1-0 lead in the series.
Overall, in their Test history, this is only the second time Bangladesh have defeated Australia. Before this ongoing tour, the Bangla Tigers had played Tests in Australia only once, back in 2003. They lost both matches on that tour, but 23 years later, Bangladesh, under the captaincy of Najmul Hossain Shanto, have written a golden chapter in their Test history.
Speaking of the match, Australia won the toss and opted to bat first. However, the home team failed to capitalise, getting bundled out for 198 in 53 overs. The conditions appeared favourable to the bowlers, particularly the pacers, as Bangladesh’s pace trio of Ebadot Hossain, Taskin Ahmed and Hasan Mahmud shared all 10 wickets between them. Ebadot and Taskin picked up two each, while Hasan became the first Bangladeshi bowler to claim a Test five-wicket haul in Australia, finishing with figures of 6/55.
For Australia, only Steve Smith showed some resistance with a 71, as none of the other batters managed to convert their starts into substantial scores or stitch together a significant partnership.
In reply, Bangladesh’s batters showed courage and grit, putting the world’s No. 1-ranked Test team under immense pressure. They batted for 138 overs, scored 426 and secured a massive 228-run lead. The 25-year-old opener, Tanzid Hasan, made history by becoming the first Bangladeshi batter to score a Test century in Australia, scoring 101. Skipper Najmul added 84, while Mehidy Hasan Miraz contributed 65 down the order to keep the visitors firmly in control.
For Australia, Josh Hazlewood led the attack with a six-wicket haul and also entered the 300-Test-wicket club, becoming only the ninth Australian bowler to achieve the feat. However, faced with the daunting task of overcoming a 228-run deficit, Australia once again lost both openers cheaply, reducing them to 37/2.
Marnus Labuschagne, Smith and Alex Carey all failed to convert their starts into big scores. At one end, Cameron Green put up a fight, scoring his first home Test century and third overall, with a 104. However, Australia could manage only a 56-run lead, with the lack of support from the other end clearly visible as Bangladesh moved closer to a historic victory.
Continuing the momentum he gained with the bat, Mehidy then shone with the ball, claiming a five-wicket haul. He became only the second Bangladeshi bowler to take a Test fifer in Australia and the first Bangladeshi spinner to achieve the feat.
In reply, Hazlewood gave the visitors an early scare by removing first-innings centurion Tanzid for a five-ball duck. However, Bangladesh did not allow the setback to put them under further pressure as they chased down the 57-run target.
Last week, from being bundled out for just 54 in the second innings of their warm-up clash against the Cricket Australia XI and losing that game by an innings and 38 runs to securing a thumping victory over Australia inside four days (11 sessions), Bangladesh have made a huge statement.
The victory also strengthens Bangladesh’s position in the ongoing World Test Championship points table. With this win, Bangladesh now have three wins and a draw in five games, taking their points percentage to 66.67. Australia’s points percentage, meanwhile, has dropped to 77.78 from 87.50, having now suffered two defeats in nine games.
The second Test will take place at Mackay from August 22-26.
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