CRICKET – Bangladesh chased down 57 runs to complete a landmark nine-wicket victory over Australia in the series opener in Darwin yesterday in one of Test cricket’s greatest upsets.
Mominul Haque cut Beau Webster to the fence to seal Bangladesh’s first Test win in Australia within four days in stifling heat at Marrara Oval, foiling a valiant century from home all-rounder Cameron Green.
The winning boundary triggered jubilation among Bangladesh’s players, who jumped and shouted on the sidelines.
“This is the biggest win so far for Bangladesh in any format,” said Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto.
“Going forward, we want to do something special in the future.”
Flooring a full-strength Australia, the world’s top-ranked Test nation in their own backyard, will be regarded by many as the South Asian nation’s finest victory in 26 years of playing the game’s longest format.
It took 23 years for Australia to host Bangladesh in a second Test series since sweeping them 2-0 in 2003, so Shanto’s side were determined to prove their worth.
They did far more than that, as they dominated the World Test Championship leaders with bat, ball and in the field in virtually every session.
Bangladesh had heroes throughout the match, but on day four it was spin-bowling all-rounder Mehidy Hasan Miraz striking the decisive blows as Australia were bowled out for 284.
Having scored 65 with the bat in Bangladesh’s first innings and caught-and-bowled Australia’s usual saviour Steve Smith for 44 on day three, Miraz took another four wickets on the final day after the hosts resumed on 161 for four, still 67 runs in arrears.
“It was excellent, a great moment for us,” a croaky-voiced Miraz said. “The way we are playing shows our character. Everything was perfect. I think everyone is happy back home.”
&uuid=(email))