DARWIN, Australia — Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto has described his team’s historic nine-wicket victory over Australia in the first Test in Darwin as the country’s “biggest win so far in any format”. The result gave Bangladesh a 1-0 lead in the two-match series after they defeated the world No. 1 Test side on home soil.
- Najmul Hossain Shanto called the Australia victory Bangladesh’s biggest win in any format.
- Hasan Mahmud was named Player of the Match after taking nine wickets.
- Mehidy Hasan Miraz claimed his 15th Test five-wicket haul.
- Tanzid Hasan scored 101 in only his second Test match.
Shanto Praises Bangladesh’s Fast-Bowling Revolution
Bangladesh’s victory was built around a disciplined bowling performance that restricted Australia to 198 in the first innings and 284 in the second. The fast bowlers claimed all 10 Australian wickets in the opening innings before Mehidy Hasan Miraz produced a five-wicket haul to finish the job in the second innings.
Shanto said the development of Bangladesh’s pace attack represented the biggest change in the team’s Test cricket approach. He pointed to the increased number of Test matches played in recent years as a factor behind the bowlers becoming more invested in the format.
“This is the biggest win so far for Bangladesh in any format,” Shanto said.
The Bangladesh captain also credited senior players such as Mushfiqur Rahim and Mominul Haque for encouraging the younger fast bowlers to embrace Test cricket and aim to perform at the highest level.
Tanzid Hasan’s Century Sets Up Bangladesh
Bangladesh’s imposing first-innings total of 426 was built around Tanzid Hasan’s maiden Test century. The opener scored 101 in only his second Test, providing the platform for Bangladesh to establish a 228-run first-innings lead.
Shanto praised Tanzid’s ability to adapt his aggressive white-ball approach to the demands of Test cricket. According to the Bangladesh captain, the young opener remained calm and played according to the merit of the ball during his century.
The innings was particularly significant because Tanzid had played only one Test before the Darwin match. His performance gave Bangladesh an important top-order contribution against an Australian attack featuring Josh Hazlewood, Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins.
Hasan Mahmud Named Player of the Match
Fast bowler Hasan Mahmud received the Player of the Match award after finishing with nine wickets. His first-innings figures of 6 for 55 played a major role in restricting Australia to 198.
Mahmud said Bangladesh’s preparation had focused on trusting their process rather than worrying about the eventual result. He also highlighted the patience shown by the bowlers and their ability to consistently maintain disciplined lines and lengths.
His performance was particularly important after Bangladesh entered the Test with questions surrounding their competitiveness following a heavy defeat against a Cricket Australia XI in the preceding practice match.
Mehidy Hasan Miraz Completes Australia’s Downfall
Mehidy Hasan Miraz was Bangladesh’s decisive figure on the fourth day. The all-rounder claimed five wickets in Australia’s second innings, completing his 15th five-wicket haul in Test cricket.
Mehidy had already dismissed Steven Smith on the third evening before returning to remove more of Australia’s middle and lower order. His dismissal of Nathan Lyon brought the innings to an end and left Bangladesh needing only 57 runs for victory.
Mehidy said the team retained its belief despite losing the practice match and recognised the Test as an opportunity to challenge a world-class Australian side in unfamiliar conditions.
“We have to believe as a unit,” Mehidy said while looking ahead to the second Test.
Bangladesh Looking for 2-0 Series Sweep
The victory has given Bangladesh a strong platform ahead of the second Test in Mackay. Shanto acknowledged that the result provides evidence that a clean sweep is possible, but stressed that the team must repeat the same disciplined approach.
The captain said Bangladesh would need to play good cricket for five days, follow the process session by session and ensure that both the bowlers and batters contribute. He also highlighted the importance of the lower-middle and lower order, whose contributions helped Bangladesh establish control in Darwin.
Mehidy Credits Shanto’s Captaincy
Mehidy also praised Shanto’s leadership, saying the captain has made good decisions at important moments. His comments reflected the growing confidence within the Bangladesh camp after a victory that came against a full-strength Australian side.
Bangladesh have now won three of their four Tests in a strong year under Shanto’s captaincy. The Darwin triumph has added another major achievement to that run and given the team considerable belief ahead of the next match.
Bangladesh’s Historic Win in Numbers
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Result | Bangladesh won by 9 wickets |
| Series | Bangladesh lead 1-0 |
| Australia 1st innings | 198 |
| Bangladesh 1st innings | 426 |
| Australia 2nd innings | 284 |
| Bangladesh target | 57 |
| Hasan Mahmud | 9 wickets in the match |
| Mehidy Hasan Miraz | 5 wickets in second innings |
| Tanzid Hasan | 101 |
What Shanto Wants From Bangladesh in Mackay
Shanto believes Bangladesh have shown enough in Darwin to know that they can challenge Australia again, but he does not want the team to get carried away by the result. His message is to repeat the same process that produced the historic victory.
For Bangladesh, the second Test now represents an opportunity to turn a landmark individual victory into a series triumph. After becoming the first Bangladesh captain to lead his side to a Test win in Australia, Shanto and his players will enter Mackay with confidence, but also with a clear reminder that another complete performance will be required.
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Shanto say about Bangladesh’s win over Australia?
Najmul Hossain Shanto described the nine-wicket victory in Darwin as Bangladesh’s biggest win so far in any format and said he was proud of the team’s performance.
Who were Bangladesh’s main performers in the Darwin Test?
Hasan Mahmud took nine wickets in the match and was named Player of the Match. Mehidy Hasan Miraz claimed a five-wicket haul, while Tanzid Hasan scored 101 in Bangladesh’s first innings.
