Australia v Bangladesh: Mehidy Hasan Miraz inspires visitors to historic first Test win in Australia

Bangladesh have secured their first Test victory on Australian soil with a historic nine-wicket demolition of the world's top-ranked Test nation in Darwin, a stunning upset that represents one of the greatest achievements in the visitors' 26 years of competing in the five-day format. Chasing just 57 runs, Mominul Haque cut Beau Webster to the boundary for the winning runs on the fourth day to spark jubilation among Bangladesh players and staff. The victory marks the nation's first Test win in Australia since they began touring the country, and comes decades after their last series under the five-day format there, a 2-0 defeat in 2003.

The Complete Domination

Bangladesh dominated proceedings throughout the entire match, dictating the course of play from the outset in all facets. The visitors first bowled Australia out for 198 in their first innings, with paceman Hasan Mahmud announcing himself as a rising star by claiming 6-55. Bangladesh then compiled 426 with the bat, mixing controlled aggression with patience as Tanzid Hasan made a magnificent 101 in just his second Test. Poor batting on day one and uncharacteristic fielding blunders by Australia, which dropped five catches, handed Bangladesh the advantage they would never relinquish.

When Australia batted again, they managed only 284, leaving Bangladesh needing just 57 for victory. Despite the twin failures of opener Jake Weatherald and number three Marnus Labuschagne raising questions about their positions for the forthcoming Test in Mackay, the damage was already done. Soft dismissals in the second innings ruined any chance of an unlikely Australian comeback, with Cummins acknowledging the comprehensive nature of his side's defeat. "They outplayed us in all facets they were patient and disciplined," the Australia captain said.

Miraz's Match-Winning Brilliance

Spinner Mehidy Hasan Miraz took centre stage on the fourth day with a masterclass in offspin that left the Australian batters bewildered. The 28-year-old claimed 5-66 to dismiss Australia, taking the key wickets of Alex Carey for 30, Beau Webster for five and Pat Cummins for eight before lunch. After a defiant 43-run eighth-wicket partnership between Cameron Green and Mitchell Starc was ended when Taskin Ahmed had the latter caught behind for 18, Miraz removed Nathan Lyon to bring Bangladesh within touching distance of victory.

Miraz's second innings performance capped a remarkable individual display that had begun on day three. The all-rounder contributed a gritty 65 with the bat that helped Bangladesh establish a healthy first innings lead, before dismissing talisman Steve Smith in Australia's second innings to set up the path to victory. His sumptuous deliveries on day four had Australian batters in knots, but it was seamer Mahmud who earned player of the match honours after claiming 3-56 in the second innings to complement his opening spell of 6-55.

Green's Defiant Stand

Cameron Green produced a career-saving century in a defiant innings of class and composure as Australia attempted to delay the inevitable. The all-rounder scored 104, his third Test century and his first on home soil, marking his first century overall since making an unbeaten 174 against New Zealand in Wellington in 2024. Playing for his spot in the team, Green flicked Taskin Ahmed for two to bring up his ton after being dropped on 95 by the same bowler from a tough caught and bowled opportunity. He drove beautifully and played the ball late while making use of the crease well against the spinners before chopping on to Mahmud.

While Green's display offered some redemption for Australia, it proved merely a footnote to Bangladesh's historic performance. The visitors had already bowled out for 54 in a warm-up match by an Australia XI just days before the Test, making their subsequent dominance all the more remarkable.

Historic Achievement and Looking Ahead

ABC commentator Jim Maxwell described the result as one of the most embarrassing defeats that Australia have ever suffered in Test cricket. Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto reflected on the magnitude of the achievement, stating: "This is the biggest win so far for Bangladesh in any format. Going forward we want to do something special in the future. I'm very happy proud of myself and the way the boys played. We did a lot of hard work."

Australia's only previous Test defeat by Bangladesh came at Mirpur in 2017. The second Test of the two-match series begins in Mackay on Saturday, offering the hosts a chance to restore some pride following this crushing nine-wicket defeat.