Bangladesh script historic Test win in Australia, end 23-year wait

Bangladesh produced a landmark performance in Darwin, beating Australia by nine wickets to secure their first Test victory on Australian soil and only their second win over the hosts in Test cricket.

The result marks a defining moment for Bangladesh, who had waited 23 years for another Test tour of Australia. Having arrived with modest expectations after being bowled out for just 54 in a warm-up game against a Cricket Australia XI, the visitors delivered a vastly different performance when the real contest began.

Australia were bowled out for 198 in the first innings, with Hasan Mahmud leading Bangladesh's pace attack. The visitors then seized control with the bat as young opener Tanzid Hasan Tamim struck a century and captain Najmul Hossain Shanto made a determined 84. Mominul Haque added 49 before Mehidy Hasan Miraz's crucial 65 helped Bangladesh post 426, giving them a commanding 228-run first-innings lead.

Australia fought back in their second innings, led by Cameron Green's century—the all-rounder's first Test hundred on home soil. But Bangladesh's bowlers continued to apply pressure, with Miraz emerging as the key figure. The off-spinner claimed five wickets after making a valuable contribution with the bat in the first innings, helping dismiss Australia for 284.

That left Bangladesh needing just 57 runs for victory.

The chase suffered an early setback when Tanzid fell for a duck to Josh Hazlewood, but there was little further drama. Veteran opener Shadman Islam and former captain Mominul Haque calmly completed the chase, with Shadman unbeaten on 25 and Mominul finishing on 30.

The victory was Bangladesh's first in Australia and only the second time they have beaten Australia in a Test. Their previous success came in 2017, when Shakib Al Hasan's all-round brilliance inspired a historic win in Mirpur.

Bangladesh's victory was built on a collective effort, with Hasan's early spell, Tanzid's century, Shanto's resilience and Miraz's decisive all-round contribution combining to produce one of the most significant Test wins in the country's history.

The result also gives Bangladesh a chance to claim a historic series victory. They will face Australia in the second and final Test from August 22 in Mackay, with the visitors now one win away from securing a Test series triumph in Australia.