Bangladesh chased down 57 runs to complete a landmark nine-wicket victory over Australia in the series opener in Darwin on Sunday, marking one of Test cricket’s greatest upsets. Mominul Haque struck the winning boundary off Beau Webster to secure the historic result within four days in the stifling heat of Marrara Oval, effectively silencing critics and overcoming a valiant century from home all-rounder Cameron Green.
The winning shot triggered scenes of pure jubilation among the Bangladesh players, who celebrated wildly on the sidelines. Flooring a full-strength Australia, the world’s top-ranked Test nation, on their own soil will be regarded by many as the South Asian nation’s finest victory in 26 years of playing the game’s longest format.
It took 23 years for Australia to host Bangladesh in a second Test series since sweeping them 2-0 in 2003, and Najmul Hossain Shanto’s side arrived in Darwin determined to prove their worth. They achieved far more than that, dominating the World Test Championship leaders with the bat, the ball, and in the field during virtually every session of the match.
Bangladesh had heroes throughout the contest, but on day four, it was spin-bowling all-rounder Mehidy Hasan Miraz who struck the decisive blows as Australia were bowled out for 284. Having scored 65 in the first innings and caught and bowled Steve Smith for 44 on day three, Miraz claimed another four wickets on the fourth day after Australia resumed on 161 for four, still 67 runs in arrears.
“It was excellent. A great moment for us,” Miraz said following the match. “The way we are playing shows our character. Everything was perfect.” The 28-year-old spinner was instrumental in dismantling the middle order, having wicketkeeper Alex Carey caught behind for 30 and bowling Beau Webster for five with a pair of sumptuous deliveries that brought the Australian tail into play.
Australia captain Pat Cummins was caught in close for eight, with Miraz inducing a sharp bat-pad catch for Shadman Islam. While Mitchell Starc dug in with Green for a defiant eighth-wicket partnership of 43, he was eventually caught behind for 18 off the bowling of seamer Taskin Ahmed, leaving the hosts in a precarious position.
Green held on to raise his third Test century and his first on home soil after lunch with two runs off Taskin. The defiant knock served as a timely response to critics of his place in the side, but he was bowled out soon after for 104, becoming Hasan Mahmud’s ninth wicket of the match by playing the ball onto his own stumps.
With only a 50-run lead and tailenders Nathan Lyon and Josh Hazlewood left at the crease, Green’s departure effectively ended Australia’s hopes. Miraz wrapped up the innings by trapping fellow spinner Lyon lbw for 15, setting up a modest target for the visitors to chase.
With clumps of delirious Bangladesh fans chanting between every ball, Shadman and Haque mowed down the required runs efficiently. Opener Tanzid Hasan was bowled by Josh Hazlewood for a duck, but he may hardly care, having scored a majestic 101 in the first innings to help Bangladesh post 426 in reply to Australia’s paltry 198.
