June 26, 2020 marked the 20-year anniversary of Bangladesh getting Test staus from the International Cricket Council. Till date, the Tigers have played 119 Tests so far in these 20 years at home and abroad, and managed to win 14 matches only. Although Bangladesh have become a competitive side in one-day internationals in the last five-six years, their Test form is definitely below average, considering the stats in the last 20 years. But still, Bangladesh registered some momentous wins. Here, Dhaka Tribune recalls five memorable Test victories of Bangladesh in their 20 years’ journey in the longest format of the game.
Against Zimbabwe in Chittagong, 2005
Bangladesh’s first ever Test triumph came against Zimbabwe in Chittagong in January 2005. Batting first, Bangladesh scored 488 with half-centuries from Nafees Iqbal (56), Habibul Bashar (96), Rajin Saleh (89) and Mohammad Rafique (69) in the first innings. Bangladesh took a 176-run lead in the first innings and eventually set a 381 target for visiting Zimbabwe. And, the visitor folded for 154 as Bangladesh picked up their first ever Test win, in front of their home crowd. Although it was a team effort from Bangladesh and several players performed well, Enamul Haque Junior was man-of-the-match with six wickets in the fourth innings.
Result: Bangladesh won by 226 runs
Against West Indies at St George's, 2009
The West Indies' cricket was in turmoil as their senior players went on strike before the home series against Bangladesh in July 2009. A second string Windies team lost the first game of the series against Bangladesh in Kingstown where man-of-the-match Tamim Iqbal scored 128. But Bangladesh's win came at a heavy cost as skipper Mashrafe bin Mortaza was injured and ruled out of the series. In the second match, pressure was on Bangladesh as they had a chance to win a Test series away for the first time. It was a competitive game and the Tigers were chasing 215 on the fourth day. Stand-in captain Shakib al Hasan played a superb unbeaten innings of 96 to lead Bangladesh to a historic win, and also a 2-0 series win.
Result: Bangladesh won by four wickets
Against England in Dhaka, 2016
Bangladesh stunned England in the Dhaka Test after trailing 1-0 in the series in October, 2016, and this is a famous win for the Tigers in many aspects. In the first Test in Chittagong, Bangladesh went close as they almost chased down their target on a difficult pitch. In Dhaka, England were cruising while chasing 272 as, at one stage, they were 100 for no loss at tea on day three. But after the tea session, England were sensationally bowled out in the final session of that day and from 100/0 they were 164 all out. So they lost 10 wickets for just 64 runs. Off-spinner Mehedi Hasan Miraz was the man-of-the-match with 12 wickets in the game, while Tamim also scored a crucial century in the first innings.
Result: Bangladesh won by 108 runs
Against Sri Lanka in Colombo, 2017
It was a historic occasion for Bangladesh as they were playing their 100th Test, against Sri Lanka in Colombo in March 2017. The start of the series was not good for Bangladesh as they lost comprehensively in the first match in Galle. And before the Colombo Test, Bangladesh camp was struggling with some injuries and off-field issues. But Bangladesh produced a solid performance and defeated the island nation by four wickets in pursuit of 191 on a tough pitch. Shakib scored a magnificent hundred, 116, in the first innings and Tamim’s gritty 82-run knock while chasing helped Bangladesh clinch a memorable win away from home. Tamim was later adjudged man-of-the-match.
Result: Bangladesh won by four wickets
Against Australia in Dhaka, 2017
The Tigers produced another stunning result in 2017, this time on home soil when they defeated Australia in Dhaka in August 2017. Bangladesh scored 260 in the first innings and later cleaned up the Aussies for 217, taking a 43-run lead. Bangladesh’s 221 runs in the second innings set a 264-run target for Australia. It was a difficult task as the pitch was deteriorating fast. David Warner blasted a brilliant hundred but in the end Australia lost by 20 runs. Tamim scored half-centuries in both innings (71 and 78). But it was Shakib who got the man-of-the-match award for his 10-wicket haul in the match, and scoring 84 in the first innings.
Result: Bangladesh won by 20 runs
