Bangladesh pulled off a stunning nine-wicket victory over Australia in opening Test in Darwin on Sunday, chasing down a modest target of 57.
Mominul Haque struck the winning boundary off Beau Webster at Marrara Oval, sparking wild celebrations among the Bangladesh players.
The result marked Bangladesh’s first Test victory on Australian soil and one of the most significant upsets in their history in the longest format.
Australia, the world’s No. 1-ranked Test side, had entered the match at full strength but struggled to match Bangladesh across all three departments.
The visitors dominated key phases of the contest with both bat and ball and maintained pressure throughout the four-day match.
Bangladesh’s success came 23 years after Australia last hosted them in a Test series, with the hosts having won the previous two-match series 2-0 in 2003.
On the fourth day, Australia resumed at 161-4 and still trailed Bangladesh by 67 runs, but Miraz claimed four wickets as the hosts were eventually dismissed for 284.
Miraz had already contributed 65 runs in Bangladesh’s first innings and dismissed Steve Smith for 44 on the third day. He continued his impressive performance by removing wicketkeeper Alex Carey for 30 and bowling Beau Webster for five with excellent deliveries.
Australia captain Pat Cummins fell for eight after Miraz induced a bat-pad catch, while Mitchell Starc added a determined 18 before Taskin Ahmed had him caught behind.
Cameron Green provided Australia with a major boost, reaching his third Test century and first on home soil. He scored 104 before Hasan Mahmud bowled him, with Green playing the ball onto his stumps. Mahmud finished with nine wickets in the match.
Miraz then completed Australia’s innings by trapping Nathan Lyon leg before wicket for 15, leaving Bangladesh with just 57 runs to win.
Although Tanzid Hasan fell for a duck early in the chase, Shadman Islam and Mominul Haque calmly completed the target as Bangladesh sealed an emphatic victory.
