Bangladesh recorded one of Test cricket’s most stunning results on Sunday, defeating top-ranked Australia by nine wickets inside four days in the series opener at Marrara Oval, Darwin. The victory, reported by BBC Sport, is the first Bangladesh have ever achieved on Australian soil in 26 years of Test cricket.

Mominul Haque cut Beau Webster to the boundary to bring up the winning runs, with Bangladesh needing just 57 to finish the job after bowling Australia out for 284 in their second innings. The chase was completed at 57 for 1, with Mominul unbeaten on 30 alongside Shadman Islam, who contributed 25.

How Bangladesh Dominated All Four Days

Bangladesh controlled the contest from the outset. Tanzid Hasan Tamim hit 101, captain Najmul Hossain Shanto scored 84, and Mehidy Hasan Miraz contributed 65 as the tourists posted 426 in their first innings, establishing a commanding lead over Australia’s opening total of 198. Hasan Mahmud had done the bulk of the first-innings damage, taking 6 for 55 to skittle the hosts cheaply.

Australia’s last realistic hope resided with Cameron Green, who struck his third Test century on home soil — a valiant 104, amid ongoing scrutiny of his place in the side. It proved insufficient. Mahmud removed Green to effectively end the contest, and Miraz wrapped up the tail by dismissing Nathan Lyon.

Miraz and Mahmud Share the Spoils

Miraz was the standout performer on day four, finishing with 5 for 66 in the second innings. As Al Jazeera reported, he had already caught and bowled Steve Smith for 44 on day three before returning to remove Alex Carey, Webster, Pat Cummins, and Lyon in succession. Taskin Ahmed chipped in by dismissing Mitchell Starc to end a 43-run eighth-wicket stand between Starc and Green.

Mahmud claimed player-of-the-match honours for his combined match figures of 9 wickets across both innings. He is pictured smiling in post-match coverage, and with good reason.

Cummins Offers No Excuses

Australian captain Pat Cummins acknowledged his side were comprehensively beaten, telling reporters that Bangladesh outplayed Australia in every aspect of the game and were patient and disciplined throughout. He added that he had no excuses, having considered Australia’s preparation to be solid going in.

The defeat is only Australia’s second in Test cricket to Bangladesh, following the loss at Mirpur in 2017. ABC commentator Jim Maxwell, as cited by BBC Sport, called it one of the most embarrassing Test defeats Australia have ever suffered.

Context That Makes the Win Remarkable

Bangladesh arrived in Darwin without injured fast bowlers Nahid Rana and Shoriful Islam, and had been bowled out for 54 by a Cricket Australia XI in a warm-up match days earlier. In June, they lost to Zimbabwe in a one-off Test. None of that showed on the field.

Shanto described the result as the biggest win Bangladesh have achieved in any format and said the team did enormous amounts of hard work to get here. Miraz told Al Jazeera everything about Bangladesh’s performance was perfect. Bangladesh’s prime minister Tarique Rahman congratulated the squad via a video call and on social media.

The two sides meet again in the second Test, starting 22 August.