For 23 years, Bangladesh had to wait for a Test match in Australia. When the opportunity finally arrived, they made sure it counted. Najmul Hossain Shanto’s side completed a historic nine-wicket victory over Australia in Darwin on Sunday, winning their first Test on Australian soil. Chasing just 57 on the fourth morning, Bangladesh reached the target in 14.2 overs.
The result was built on four days of sustained dominance. Bangladesh’s fast bowlers made the first move on a green-tinged surface, with Hasan Mahmud producing career-best figures of 6/55. Taskin Ahmed and Ebadot Hossain provided support as Australia were dismissed for 198, their lowest Test total against Bangladesh.
The visitors then turned that advantage into a commanding first-innings lead. Tanzid Hasan Tamim’s 101 anchored the response, while Mehidy Hasan Miraz scored 65 and Mushfiqur Rahim added 36. Bangladesh eventually made 426, leaving Australia with a significant deficit to overcome.
Australia briefly threatened to make the match competitive through Cameron Green, who scored a century in the second innings. But Bangladesh kept finding answers. Mehidy, in particular, dictated the middle and lower stages of the innings with 5/66, while Hasan Mahmud struck again to remove the Australian openers.
Australia was eventually bowled out for 284, leaving Bangladesh with a straightforward target and a chance to complete something they had been denied for decades.
The significance of the victory goes beyond the scorecard. Bangladesh had repeatedly been denied a Test series in Australia, with Cricket Australia citing commercial concerns around the viability of hosting the team. Even this series was brought forward from March 2027 to accommodate Australia’s 150th Anniversary Test against England.
The venues also reflected Bangladesh’s unusual route into Australian cricket. One had not hosted a Test since 2004, while the other had never staged a men’s Test. They responded by making the most of the opportunity.
The defeat also raises questions for Australia. Ricky Ponting called for changes to the batting order, while Matthew Hayden questioned the team’s combination. With an ageing squad and Cameron Green the only player under 30, there are concerns that Australia need to start planning beyond their current core.
Yet Bangladesh’s victory should be viewed on its own terms. Australia remains one of the strongest Test teams in the world, and they recovered from a defeat to India in Perth last season to win the next four Tests and reach the World Test Championship final.
For Bangladesh, though, none of that matters on this day. After waiting 23 years to return to Australia, they finally have their Test victory Down Under. And they earned it emphatically.
