Bangladesh Stun Australia With Historic Nine-Wicket Test Win in Darwin

Bangladesh completed one of Test cricket’s greatest upsets by thrashing top-ranked Australia by nine wickets on the fourth day of the series-opener in Darwin. According to the BBC, the victory marks the nation’s first Test win on Australian soil in 26 years of competing in the format.

Bangladesh Claim Historic Nine-Wicket Test Win Over Australia in Darwin

After bowling the hosts out for 284 in their second innings, Bangladesh required just 57 runs for victory. Mominul Haque cut Beau Webster to the boundary for the winning runs, sealing the historic result and sparking jubilation among players and staff. Commentator Jim Maxwell described the outcome on ABC as one of the most embarrassing defeats Australia has ever suffered in Test cricket.

Match Dominance and Stellar Bowling Performances

The visitors controlled the match from the outset after Australia chose to bat first on day one. Seamer Hasan Mahmud announced himself as a rising star by claiming 6-55 as Australia were skittled for 198. Mahmud later added 3-56 in the second innings, finishing with match figures that earned him the player of the match award.

Spin also played a decisive role on day four. Offspinner Mehidy Hasan Miraz claimed 5-66, removing key batters including Alex Carey, Beau Webster, and Pat Cummins before lunch, and eventually trapping Nathan Lyon in front to end Australia’s second innings at 284.

Cameron Green’s Defiant Century and Australian Struggles

All-rounder Cameron Green provided fierce resistance for the hosts, notching his third Test century and his first on home soil. Green compiled a class and composure-filled 104, his first hundred since making an unbeaten 174 against New Zealand in Wellington in 2024, before being bowled by Mahmud.

DAY 3: Mehidy claims Smith as Bangladesh sense historic upset in Australia — Photo: supersport.com

Despite Green’s efforts, soft dismissals and uncharacteristic fielding blunders—including five dropped catches by Australia during Bangladesh’s first-innings total of 426—hurt the hosts. Opener Tanzid Hasan contributed a magnificent 101 in just his second Test match, while Mehidy chipped in with a valuable half-century with the bat.

For Australia, the performance of top-order batters Jake Weatherald and Marnus Labuschagne will come under the microscope ahead of the second Test in Mackay. Meanwhile, fast bowler Josh Hazlewood reached a personal milestone during Bangladesh’s first innings, claiming 6-89 and becoming the ninth Australian to reach 300 Test wickets when he dismissed Mehidy and Ebadot Hossain.

Reaction and Context

The stunning result comes just days after Bangladesh suffered a defeat against a Cricket Australia XI in a warm-up match. Speaking on Fox Sports, visiting captain Najmul Hossain Shanto reflected on the team’s performance.

Hasan Mahmud smiles after Bangladesh's first Test win in Australia — Photo: BBC

This is the biggest win so far for Bangladesh in any format, Najmul Hossain Shanto said, as reported by the BBC. 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.

According to theguardian.com, Australia had previously suffered heavy upset home defeats, such as an eight-run loss to the West Indies at the Gabba in 2024. However, Bangladesh’s latest victory hands Australia a crushing defeat in a series where the visitors maintained the upper hand throughout all facets of play.