Bangladesh have defeated Australia in the first Test. Yes, you read it right. The Asian country proved it once more that they are no more the minnows of the game. Some might argue that it was a turning track but what else do you expect from subcontinent pitches? It’s always been like this and the fact that the home side played better in the condition, is indeed true.
The Australians fought bravely against India earlier this year where the conditions were somewhat similar. But that was nowhere to be seen in Dhaka. Apart from David Warner, there was hardly any application shown by the batsmen and one by one, everyone surrendered.
Here’s the story of the match:
Tamim-Shakib stand out
Batting first after winning the toss, Bangladesh were rocked back early as Pat Cummins dismissed 3 wickets at the score of 10. The opener Tamim Iqbal and Shakib Al Hasan provided stability to the innings and handled the pacers as well as spinners pretty well. They added 155 runs for the 4th wicket before Tamim was removed for 71 by Glenn Maxwell.
Shakib too fell soon for 84 and that opened the door for the Aussies to run through the line-up. From 165/3, the hosts got all out for 260. Pat Cummins, Nathan Lyon and Ashton Agar bagged 3 wickets apiece where Maxwell ended up with 1.
Shakib starred with the ball
Just when it felt that Australia will get a strangle hold in the match, the Bangladeshi spinners struck and the visitors were reduced to 33/4 in no time. David Warner and Steve Smith failed to impress and were removed by Mehidy Hasan.
Matt Renshaw and Peter Handscomb added 69 runs for the 4th wicket but both fell in quick successions. At 117/6, they were in danger of conceding a huge lead. The tail showed resistance and dragged the score to 217. Shakib ended up with 5 wickets and gave his side a sizeable lead of 43 runs.
Bangladesh ran away despite Lyon’s fight
Bangladesh were determined to give a steep target to the opposition and Tamim Iqbal was at it once again. Where Nathan Lyon was sending back one batsman after the other from the other end, the left-handed opener scored a gritty 78 and kept the side on the driver’s seat.
The captain Mushfiqur Rahim scored 41 runs and there were valuable contributions from Sabbir Rahman and Mehidy Hasan. Lyon finished with 6 wickets but the opposition had run away to 221 which meant that the Australians had to chase a stiff 265.
The see-saw ending
Once again, the start for the Australians was terrible as Renshaw and Usman Khajawa fell cheaply and left the side reeling at 28/2. The two most experienced batsmen in the side – David Warner and Steve Smith got together and brought caution to the wind and smothered the spinners quite well.
Where Warner went about it in his usual demeanor of going after the bowling, Smith became the calming influence. As the partnership grew, Bangladesh’s dream of achieving the biggest victory ever, began to look distant. Warner scored a brilliant hundred and his side was firmly in control.
The joy in the Bangladeshi camp returned when a stand of 130 was broken by Shakib as he accounted for the wicket of Warner for 112. That was the opening that they needed. Shakib went on to claim the scalps of Smith, Maxwell and Matthew Wade and dented the Aussie line-up.
The tail once again hung in for a while but the spinners proved to be too good for them as all 10 wickets fell at a score of 244. Bangladesh won the match by 20 runs and history was created in the Shere Bangla National Stadium as they defeated Australia for the first time in Test cricket.
The players were elated and so were the thousands gathered in the stands. It was a moment to cherish for all the hard work of so many years paid dividend. As it happened so many times in the past, Shakib Al Hasan was the hero of the victory once again.
Match Summary
Bangladesh 1st innings:Â 260/10 in 78.5 overs
Shakib Al Hasan 84, Tamim Iqbal 71
Ashton Agar 46/3, Pat Cummins 63/3
Australia 1st innings:Â 217/10 in 74.5 overs
Matt Renshaw 45, Ashton Agar 41
Shakib Al Hasan 68/5, Mehidy Hasan 62/3
Bangladesh 2nd innings:Â 221/10 in 79.3 overs
Tamim Iqbal 78, Mushfiqur Rahim 41
Nathan Lyon 82/6, Ashton Agar 55/2
Australia 2nd innings:Â 244/10 in 70.5 overs
David Warner 112, Steve Smith 37
Shakib Al Hasan 85/5, Taijul Islam 60/3
Bangladesh won by 20 runs
Player of the match:Â Shakib Al Hasan