Bangladesh has etched its name in the annals of cricket history by securing a stunning victory over Australia in the first Test match held in Darwin, while in a performance that will be remembered for generations, the Bangladeshi team defeated the mighty Australians by 9 wickets on their home turf. This victory is particularly significant as it marks the first time Bangladesh has ever beaten Australia in a Test match played in Australia. The match reached its conclusion in just 4 days, showcasing the dominance of the visiting side over the 5 day format.
The Final Chase and Historic Script
On the fourth day of the Test match, the narrative was set for a historic finish. Australia set a modest target of 57 runs for Bangladesh to claim victory. While the target seemed simple, the weight of history was on the shoulders of the Bangladeshi batsmen. Opener Tanzid Hasan, who had contributed 101 runs in the first innings, unfortunately couldn't open his account in the second innings and was dismissed for 0. However, the small target meant that his early departure didn't hinder the team's progress. Bangladesh chased down the 57 runs with the loss of only 1 wicket, writing the script of their historic triumph with great pride and composure.
Cameron Green's Century in Vain
Earlier on the fourth day, Australia resumed their second innings from their overnight score of 161 runs for the loss of 4 wickets. Australian batsman Cameron Green showed resilience and went on to complete a hard-fought century. Despite his individual brilliance, the rest of the Australian lineup struggled to build a massive total. The remaining 6 Australian batsmen managed to add only 123 runs to the scoreboard on the final day of their innings. Australia was eventually bowled out for 284 runs in their second innings. However, because Bangladesh had secured a massive first-innings lead of 227 runs, the effective target for the visitors remained a mere 57 runs.
Hasan Mahmud: The Hero of the Match
The primary architect of this historic win was the Bangladeshi fast bowler Hasan Mahmud. Mahmud delivered a masterclass in pace bowling, taking a total of 9 wickets in the match. His performance in the first innings was particularly record-breaking, where he claimed 6 wickets. By doing so, he became the first Bangladeshi pacer to take a 5 wicket haul in a Test match played in Australia. He continued his lethal form in the second innings by picking up 3 more wickets, ensuring that the Australian batting lineup couldn't set a challenging target. His consistent breakthroughs were the turning point that allowed Bangladesh to dominate the world champions in their own backyard.
Significance of the Victory
This isn't the first time Bangladesh has tasted success against Australia in the longest format of the game. In 2017, Bangladesh had defeated Australia by 20 runs in a Test match played in Mirpur. However, that victory came in home conditions. The win in Darwin is historic because it's the first time Bangladesh has entered Australian territory and emerged victorious in a Test match, while with this win, the head-to-head record between the two nations now stands at 2-5 in favor of Australia after a total of 7 Tests played. Also, by winning this first Test, Bangladesh has taken a 1-0 lead in the 2 match series. Bangladesh has also earned the distinction of being the first Asian country to defeat Australia at their home by playing the fewest number of Test matches.