Bangladesh made history in Darwin on Sunday, beating Australia by nine wickets to register their first Test victory on Australian soil.
Bangladesh handed Australia one of their most humiliating and crushing Test defeats in 149 years, storming to a nine-wicket victory in Darwin to secure their first Test win on Australian soil.
The visitors bowled Australia out for 284 in the second innings on the fourth day and then chased down the 57 runs required with just one wicket down, completing a dominant performance that was never really in question.
Cameron Green scored a defiant 104, his third Test century, but it was not enough to save the hosts. It was his first hundred on home soil and his first since an unbeaten 174 against New Zealand in Wellington in 2024. He looked in command, driving elegantly and playing the ball late, but eventually chopped Hasan Mahmud on to his stumps.
Bangladesh’s victory was built on an outstanding all-round display. After dismissing Australia for 198 in the first innings, with Hasan Mahmud taking 6-55, the Tigers amassed 426, thanks largely to Tanzid Hasan’s sublime 101 in only his second Test. Australia also put down five catches, which cost them dearly.
Offspinner Mehidy Hasan Miraz was the destroyer on day four, claiming 5-66. He removed Alex Carey for 30, Beau Webster for five, and captain Pat Cummins for nine before lunch, then trapped Nathan Lyon lbw to end Australia’s resistance after the interval.
Australia’s troubles began with a poor first-innings batting display and uncharacteristic fielding errors. Openers Jake Weatherald and No. 3 Marnus Labuschagne both failed, and their places will be under scrutiny for the second Test, which starts in Mackay on Saturday. Green, playing for his spot, was dropped on 95 by Taskin Ahmed from a tough caught and bowled chance, but the reprieve merely delayed the inevitable.
Bangladesh’s remarkable turnaround is even more striking given they were bowled out for just 54 by a Cricket Australia XI in a warm-up match days before the Test. This nine-wicket win will go down as one of the greatest in their cricket history.
Australia have suffered heavy upset home defeats in the past, the most recent an eight-run loss to the West Indies at the Gabba in 2024. But this defeat was even more one-sided, as Bangladesh dominated from the first day. For Australia, there are many questions to answer before the second Test in Mackay, while Bangladesh can celebrate a landmark day in their cricketing history.