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Bangladesh stunned Australia in Darwin on Sunday, recording a memorable nine-wicket victory in the opening Test at Marrara Oval.
The visitors needed just 57 runs to win after Australia were dismissed for 284 in their second innings.
Mominul Haque guided Bangladesh across the finish line with an unbeaten 30, while Shadman Islam remained not out on 25.
The victory gave Bangladesh their maiden Test success on Australian soil after two previous attempts. It came during their first Test series in Australia in 23 years.
Najmul Hossain Shanto’s team had entered the contest with little favouritism after suffering a heavy defeat against a Cricket Australia XI in their warm-up fixture.
Bangladesh responded strongly once the Test began and repeatedly prevented Australia from regaining control.
Fast bowler Hasan Mahmud delivered an outstanding performance throughout the match and earned the Player of the Match award. He finished with nine wickets for 111 runs, including a six-wicket haul in Australia’s first innings that restricted the hosts to 198.
Australia mounted a determined fightback in their second innings, with Cameron Green producing a century.
Mahmud eventually ended Green’s resistance by sending the all-rounder’s stumps flying.
Spinner Mehidy Hasan Miraz further strengthened Bangladesh’s grip on the contest by exploiting the rough areas of the pitch. He claimed five wickets as Australia’s middle and lower order collapsed, leaving Bangladesh with a manageable target on the fourth morning.
Bangladesh’s batting provided the foundation for the victory after they accumulated 426 in their first innings.
Tanzid Hasan registered his maiden Test hundred, while Mehidy contributed a valuable 65 to give the visitors a substantial advantage.
The result represents Bangladesh’s second Test victory over Australia, following their 2017 triumph in Dhaka. It ensures that Bangladesh cannot lose the two-match series.
The teams will meet again in the second Test next week at the Great Barrier Reef Arena in Mackay.
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