Oval: Bangladesh scripted one of the most remarkable upsets in modern cricket history on Sunday, completing a comprehensive nine-wicket victory over top-ranked Australia on day four of the series opener at Darwin’s Marrara Oval. The landmark triumph marks Bangladesh’s first-ever Test win on Australian soil and only their second victory over Australia in the longest format of the game, following their maiden success in Dhaka in 2017.
The foundation for the historic result was built on a dominant all-round showing, spearheaded by off-spinner Mehidy Hasan Miraz. Resuming the fourth day at 161 for 4, Australia sought to build a substantial lead, but Miraz dismantled the middle and lower order with a clinical spell of 5 for 66. He removed Alex Carey, Beau Webster, and Australian captain Pat Cummins before trapping Nathan Lyon leg before wicket to dismiss the hosts for 284 midway through the afternoon session, leaving Bangladesh needing just 57 runs for victory.
Australia’s primary resistance came from all-rounder Cameron Green, who notched a defiant 104 off 201 deliveries to register his third Test century and his first on home turf. Green battled for nearly five hours alongside the tailenders to steer the hosts past an innings defeat, but his resolute vigil ended when a low-skidding delivery from fast bowler Hasan Mahmud disturbed his stumps.
Tasked with a modest fourth-innings chase, the touring side suffered a brief tremor when fast bowler Josh Hazlewood dismissed first-innings centurion Tanzid Hasan for a duck in the second over. However, Shadman Islam and experienced batter Mominul Haque displayed absolute poise, compiling an unbeaten 53-run partnership to guide Bangladesh across the line in 14.2 overs. The winning boundary sparked jubilation among Bangladesh supporters and team members along the boundary line.
The defeat ranks among Australia’s steepest home reversals in its 149-year Test history, placing significant scrutiny on the squad ahead of the second and final Test scheduled to begin in Mackay on August 22.
