Bangladesh PM congratulates team on video call after historic Test win over Australia
Bangladesh Prime Minister Tarique Rahman congratulated Najmul Hossain Shanto and his teammates on a video call after the Tigers created history with a nine-wicket victory over Australia in Darwin. The landmark result gave Bangladesh their first-ever Test win on Australian soil and only their second victory over Australia in the longest format.
During the video call, BCB president Tamim Iqbal introduced several players, including Hasan Mahmud, Tanzid Hasan Tamim and Mushfiqur Rahim, to the Prime Minister. When Tanzid was introduced as a “boy from Bogura”, Tarique stressed that the young batter represented the entire country.
“Not from Bogura, he is a boy of Bangladesh. He is representing Bangladesh, not Bogura,” the Prime Minister said.
Tarique also enquired about the players’ physical condition after their demanding four-day Test in Darwin.
“We are waiting in Bangladesh to welcome you. Is everyone feeling well? Some fatigue is natural. How is the heat there? Is it really hot? Just like in our country! Come back safely and in good health. The people of Bangladesh are waiting to welcome you,” he said.
Bangladesh stun Australia to script Test history
The Prime Minister’s interaction came after Bangladesh produced one of the biggest upsets in their Test history. Hasan Mahmud led the charge with a career-best 6-55 as Australia were bowled out for 198 in their first innings. Bangladesh then piled up 426, taking a massive 228-run lead.
Tanzid played a crucial role in that effort, scoring 101 to become the first Bangladeshi batter to make a Test century in Australia. His hundred, combined with Bangladesh’s lower-order contributions, put the visitors firmly in control.
Australia showed some resistance in their second innings, with Cameron Green scoring 104, but Bangladesh refused to let the hosts back into the contest. Mehidy Hasan Miraz claimed five wickets, while Hasan Mahmud added three more to finish with nine wickets in the match. Australia were eventually dismissed for 284, leaving Bangladesh with only 57 runs to win.
Josh Hazlewood removed Tanzid for a duck in the chase, but Shadman Islam and Mominul Haque remained composed to take Bangladesh over the line with nine wickets in hand.
The victory also made Bangladesh only the third Asian team, after India and Pakistan, to win a Test on Australian soil.
With Bangladesh now 1-0 up in the two-Test series, Shanto and his team will look to build on the historic victory when the second Test gets underway in Mackay on August 22.
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