Unbelievable. Somewhat unimaginable. Like a dream. These are just a few words that Bangladeshi cricket fans are using to describe their feelings after the stunning Test victory over mighty Australia.
Just a few weeks ago, Bangladesh suffered an innings defeat against Zimbabwe. Then, in their only practice match in Australia before the first Test, they were bowled out for just 54 runs in 22 overs against Australia’s President’s XI.
Bangladesh had travelled to Australia for a Test series for the first time in 23 years. None of the players in this squad had previously played a Test in Australia. After the shocking innings defeat against Zimbabwe and the poor batting display in the practice match, hardly anyone could have imagined that Bangladesh would go on to win the first Test so dominantly.
And this was a full-strength Australian team, featuring one of the most lethal bowling attacks of the last decade, comprising Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood and Nathan Lyon.
Against that world-class bowling attack, Bangladesh took a lead of more than 200 runs in the first innings and went on to complete a nine-wicket victory in the opening Test of the Australian summer. That is truly unbelievable.
This is surely one of the most remarkable turnarounds in cricket history, with many pundits suggesting it could even be the biggest upset in Test cricket history.
But, more importantly, this Test victory is surely the best result Bangladesh have achieved in their history.
Bangladesh have enjoyed several famous victories during their Test journey. There was the win against England in Mirpur in 2016, the victory over Australia in Mirpur later that year, the win against Sri Lanka in Colombo in 2017, the historic victory over New Zealand in Mount Maunganui in 2022 and the Test series win against Pakistan in Rawalpindi in 2024.
But this win against Australia in Darwin surely stands above them all.
Bangladesh won in every session. They dominated the game from start to finish.
They took four wickets in the first session on day one and bowled Australia out for under 200. Hasan Mahmud produced a magnificent performance, while Taskin Ahmed and Ebadot Hossain provided brilliant support to wrap up the Australian innings.
Such a performance also showed just how much Bangladesh’s pace attack has improved over the years.
Then came the batting. Bangladesh’s batters tackled the threat of Starc, Cummins and Hazlewood with confidence, building momentum throughout the innings.
A gritty performance from the Tigers’ batters at crucial moments put Australia on the back foot. Tanzid Tamim’s maiden Test century may have been the major talking point, but almost every batter chipped in with vital contributions.
Two moments, in particular, summed up Bangladesh’s approach. Tanzid stepping out of his crease to smash a six off Beau Webster, and Taijul Islam producing a calypso-style flick against Hazlewood that cleared the boundary over deep fine leg, were perfect examples of the fearless and fluent approach Bangladesh’s batters adopted against a world-class bowling attack.
From the first session until the final ball, Bangladesh were dominant. That is what makes this victory so special.
Australian cricket greats heavily criticised their own team for the shocking loss, but they also praised Bangladesh’s players and their approach throughout the match.
It was not only Australian broadcasters and commentators who applauded the Tigers. Greats and experts from around the world praised Bangladesh for this famous victory.
For Bangladesh fans, meanwhile, it all felt surreal.
Fans were probably rubbing their eyes when Australia were on the verge of an innings defeat. Even a chase of just 57 runs felt difficult, because Bangladesh cricket fans have endured countless heartbreaks after seeing their team lose close matches on numerous occasions.
But as the Tigers approached victory, the feeling changed. Fans were almost telling themselves: This is not a fairytale. This is actually happening.
Twenty-three years ago, when Bangladesh last toured Australia for Test matches, former Australian cricketer David Hookes famously suggested that Bangladesh could lose a Test in a single day.
For Bangladesh to return to Australia 23 years later and defeat the mighty Aussies by outplaying them in every session, and in almost every possible way, truly feels like a dream.
But when that dream became reality, it created a wave of celebration among Tigers fans all over the world.
This victory is for every cricket fan in Bangladesh. It is for those who have followed the Tigers into every corner of the world and supported them through every tournament and every difficult moment.
This victory will be remembered for the ages, much like the famous win over Pakistan in the 1999 ODI World Cup and the historic victory over Australia in Cardiff.
The victory in Darwin will surely go down as a landmark moment in Bangladesh cricket history.
