Bangladesh recorded their first-ever Test victory on Australian soil with a nine-wicket win over Australia in Darwin to take a 1-0 series lead.
Bangladesh pulled off a historic victory in Darwin, defeating Australia by nine wickets in the first Test to take a 1-0 lead in their two-match series. The win ended a 23-year wait for Bangladesh to beat Australia in Test cricket on Australian soil, with their only previous Test victory against the Australians coming at home in 2017.
Set a target of just 57 runs in the final innings, Bangladesh comfortably reached the mark in 14.2 overs for the loss of one wicket. Mominul Haque hit the winning boundary to finish on 30 not out, while Shadman Islam remained unbeaten on 25.
Australia had won the toss and chosen to bat in their first innings, but were bowled out for 198. Steve Smith offered the main resistance with 71 off 109 balls, before Hasan Mahmud dismantled the Australian batting line-up with a six-wicket haul, supported by Taskin Ahmed's two wickets. Bangladesh then took control of the match by scoring 426, gaining a 228-run lead. Tanzid Hasan scored 101 to become the first Bangladeshi batter to hit a Test century in Australia, alongside key contributions from Najmul Hossain Shanto (84) and Mehidy Hasan Miraz (65).
Australia scored 284 in their second innings, featuring a 104-run effort from Cameron Green, but Bangladesh's bowling attack—led by key overs from Mehidy Hasan Miraz—kept the hosts from setting a challenging target.
The second Test is set to begin in Mackay on August 22. A series victory would see Bangladesh join India (who won in 2018-19 under Virat Kohli and 2020-21 under Ajinkya Rahane) as the only Asian teams to win a Test series in Australia.
Reporting sourced from NorthEast Now Sports (Manipur/NE). Photo courtesy NorthEast Now Sports (Manipur/NE).