Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto believes his team's historic Test victory over Australia in Darwin has shown the progress Bangladesh cricket has made, while the heavy defeat in Mackay has provided valuable lessons ahead of their upcoming tour of South Africa. Australia bounced back strongly in the second Test, defeating Bangladesh by an innings and 51 runs after suffering a nine-wicket defeat in the series opener in Darwin. Despite the setback, Shanto said Bangladesh could take pride in securing a landmark victory against Australia on their home soil. "I don't think anyone will forget what we have done in Darwin, but it is also true that we didn't play good cricket in this Test," Shanto said. "We won a good Test match in Darwin. It is a win to be proud of. We now have two wins of such magnitude. We have defeated New Zealand and Australia in their conditions." Bangladesh's victory in Darwin came less than five years after their memorable eight-wicket win over New Zealand in Mount Maunganui in January 2022. Shanto believes those victories demonstrate that Bangladesh are capable of competing with established Test teams in their own conditions. "I hope we do it in South Africa, which will only help our Test team," he said. Bangladesh are scheduled to tour South Africa in November for a two-Test series, with matches set to be played in Johannesburg and Centurion. The team currently sits sixth in the ICC Test rankings and fourth in the World Test Championship standings. Shanto admitted that Bangladesh may have carried some of the emotional momentum from their Darwin victory into the second Test. However, he insisted that the team had prepared well for the significantly different conditions in Mackay. "Emotion is always there, but as professional players we need to be very clear about the Test match," he said. "I believe the players were quite happy with their preparation and mindset. We just didn't play at our best." The Bangladesh captain acknowledged that his team struggled to adapt to the bounce and movement offered by the Mackay pitch. He also accepted responsibility for his own dismissal after getting set in the second innings. "My dismissal, after getting set, isn't acceptable, to be very honest," Shanto said. "I should have hung around for longer." Bangladesh's batting collapsed in both innings, with Tanzid Hasan, Mominul Haque and Shanto unable to reproduce the performances that helped the side in Darwin. Litton Das endured an especially difficult Test series, registering three ducks without scoring a run. However, Shanto backed Litton to return to form and defended his value to the Test side. "Litton has played some great knocks recently, so I am not really looking at these three zeroes," Shanto said. "I still feel his batting at No. 6 is effective for the team. We know his quality. I think he has huge impact in the Bangladesh Test team. I am hopeful that he will come back strongly in the next series." The contrasting results in Darwin and Mackay highlighted Bangladesh's continuing challenge of maintaining consistency after major victories. The team also struggled to build on their historic win in Mount Maunganui in 2022, suffering an innings defeat against New Zealand in Christchurch. Shanto, however, believes the experience gained from the Mackay defeat can help Bangladesh improve when they face similar conditions in the future. "We have to realise that we haven't played in these conditions, against this type of bowling attack before," he said. "I think it's important how we can use this experience in the future." With South Africa next on the Test schedule, Bangladesh will hope the lessons from Mackay can help them avoid another emotional and performance drop after a historic victory—and instead turn their recent overseas successes into a sign of sustained growth in Test cricket.

Mitchell Starc produced a devastating spell of fast bowling to claim six wickets as Bangladesh were bowled out for just 64 on the opening afternoon of the second Test in Mackay. Starc finished with remarkable figures of 6 for 12 from 10 overs, dismantling Bangladesh's batting order with a combination of pace, late swing and relentless full-length deliveries. The visitors were dismissed in only 34 overs, with their innings ending less than an hour into the second session. Bangladesh's collapse began from the very first ball. Starc removed Shadman Islam with the opening delivery of the Test, finding the edge for Cameron Green to take a low catch at gully. The left-arm quick struck again in the third over when Tanzid Hasan edged to Beau Webster at second slip. Najmul Hossain Shanto was then trapped lbw off the very next ball. Shanto reviewed the decision, but the technology showed the ball clipping leg stump, leaving the on-field decision intact. Starc completed the destruction of Bangladesh's top order by dismissing Mominul Haque, who guided another delivery away from the body straight to Green at gully. With Bangladesh reduced to 12 for 4, Starc completed his five-wicket haul when Litton Das was trapped lbw for a duck. The dismissal came immediately after Webster had dropped a straightforward chance offered by Litton in the slips. The five wickets had come from just 22 deliveries, but Starc was not finished. His six-wicket haul also took him past South African great Dale Steyn's tally of 439 Test wickets. Bangladesh's lower order offered some resistance. Mushfiqur Rahim survived for 41 balls before Pat Cummins broke through his defence, leaving the visitors 35 for 6 at lunch. Mushfiqur's dismissal was followed by wickets from Cummins and Josh Hazlewood after the interval. Cummins dismissed Mehidy Hasan Miraz after he drove away from his body, with Webster completing another diving catch. Hazlewood then claimed his first wicket when Hasan Mahmud flicked the ball to leg gully after battling for 35 deliveries. Cummins removed Taskin Ahmed soon afterwards, with Matt Renshaw taking a catch at square leg. A brief counterattack from Shoriful Islam and Taijul Islam pushed Bangladesh beyond 43, which had been their previous lowest Test total. Starc eventually returned to finish the innings, having Shoriful caught behind for 14. Shoriful's 14 made him the highest scorer in Bangladesh's innings, while the last five batters collectively contributed 47 runs. Bangladesh's final total of 64 was their fourth-lowest score in Test cricket, completing a spectacular collapse and giving Australia complete control of the opening day.

Mitchell Starc produced a sensational opening spell in the second Test in Mackay, tearing through Bangladesh’s top order to claim a five-wicket haul in just 22 balls. Starc struck with the very first delivery of the match, dismissing Shadman Islam. Bowling full and angling the ball into middle before shaping it away, Starc squared up the batter, who closed the face of his bat and produced a leading edge that flew to Cameron Green at gully. After a brief wait, Starc struck again in the third over. Tanzid Hasan edged a near-yorker straight to third slip, where Beau Webster completed the catch. The dismissal was briefly checked for a possible bump ball, but replays confirmed it was a clean catch. Starc then removed Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto two balls later. Shanto was trapped lbw after the ball beat his inside edge and struck him on the front pad. He reviewed the decision, but ball-tracking showed the delivery clipping leg stump, leaving the on-field decision intact. The left-arm quick continued his remarkable assault in the fifth over. Mominul Haque attempted to steer another full delivery towards the off side but found a thick edge. Green produced an outstanding low diving catch in the gully, giving Starc his fourth wicket. Starc completed his five-wicket haul in the seventh over when Litton Das was trapped lbw. The original decision was not out, but Australia reviewed immediately. Replays showed that Litton had missed his attempted whip, with the ball striking him in line and tracking indicating that it would have smashed into the leg stump. The successful review gave Starc his fifth wicket from just 22 balls, leaving Bangladesh in serious trouble and highlighting another devastating burst of fast bowling from the Australian quick. Remarkably, despite the extraordinary speed of his five-wicket haul in Mackay, it was not the fastest five-wicket burst of Starc’s career. He had achieved an even quicker feat in Jamaica in 2025.

Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto believes his team's historic victory over Australia in Darwin has given the batters the confidence to take on any bowling attack as they prepare for the second Test in Mackay. Bangladesh stunned Australia by nine wickets in the opening Test, securing their first-ever Test victory on Australian soil. The visitors dominated with the bat, scoring 426 in their first innings after Australia were bowled out for 198. The result was particularly significant as Bangladesh were touring Australia for the first time since 2003. Shanto draws confidence from Australia's attack Shanto, who scored 84 in the first Test and played a key role in Bangladesh's batting effort, said he had been eager to test himself against Australia's bowling attack. "Personally, I really wanted to face this kind of bowling attack because I always believe that if I can score against this kind of bowling attack, I'll be able to score against anyone," Shanto said ahead of the second Test. The Bangladesh captain believes performing against a high-quality attack in challenging conditions can provide lasting confidence. "When you score against this kind of team, it gives you a lot of confidence going forward when we play in these kind of conditions or against this kind of bowling attack again," he added. Bangladesh's batting unit showed considerable discipline in Darwin, occupying the crease for 138 overs in their first innings. Tanzid Hasan scored his maiden Test century, while Shanto and Mehidy Hasan Miraz contributed half-centuries. Mominul Haque also made an important 49. The visitors' ability to consistently leave deliveries outside the off stump was another major feature of their performance. Extra bounce expected in Mackay Shanto expects the Mackay pitch to offer more bounce than the surface in Darwin, but believes his batters are prepared for the challenge. "In these conditions, there will be a little bit more extra bounce than Darwin," he said. "Before we came here, we had been preparing on this kind of bouncy track." Bangladesh's recent experience against Zimbabwe has also helped them prepare for the conditions. "We had a series against Zimbabwe, where we got an almost similar [pitch], so we have the idea of how to play on it," Shanto said. He added that the team's recent net sessions had focused heavily on adapting to the additional bounce. Bangladesh ready to adapt Shanto stressed that Bangladesh do not intend to follow the same approach in every Test, instead adapting their strategy according to the conditions and opposition. "We have different plans for different conditions. We are not going to play every single Test match in the same way," he said. Against Australia in Darwin, patience was central to their approach, particularly given the relative inexperience within the Bangladesh side. "We play differently in the subcontinent. Sometimes it depends on the conditions, the surface, and the bowling attack," Shanto explained. "For the last Test match, the plan was that we need to be patient enough. We are not the most experienced side, so sometimes we just have to be patient." Shanto wants Bangladesh to move on from historic win Bangladesh's victory in Darwin generated huge celebrations back home, but Shanto believes his players must now put the achievement behind them and concentrate on the second Test. "There are a lot of emotions," he acknowledged, while emphasizing the need for professionalism. The captain said senior players have been helping the younger members of the squad maintain their focus and repeat the habits that produced success in the opening Test. "Some experienced guys are there. They talk to the young players that we are coming back to it again, and do the right things over and over in practice," he said. Bangladesh coach Phil Simmons had also emphasized the importance of controlling emotions after the historic victory. For Shanto, the message is straightforward: enjoy the achievement, but do not become distracted by it. "It's a proud moment for all of the players - even ex-cricketers from Bangladesh. But it's done; I think it's gone," Shanto said. "We need to play five days of good cricket again." With Bangladesh leading the series 1-0, the captain knows Australia will be determined to respond in Mackay. He believes his side is prepared for another demanding Test and focused on reproducing the discipline that earned them their historic victory in Darwin.

Nathan Lyon has retained his place in Australia’s playing XI for the second Test against Bangladesh in Mackay, with Matt Renshaw confirmed to make his Test return at the top of the order. The decision came shortly after Australia captain Pat Cummins revealed that the team had been considering an all-pace attack. However, after further discussions and another assessment of the pitch at Great Barrier Reef Arena, Australia opted to retain Lyon as their frontline spinner. The selection means Scott Boland remains on the sidelines, despite Cummins acknowledging the quality of the experienced fast bowler. “We wanted to give them another day really to see whether it’s four quicks or a spin,” Cummins said before the XI was confirmed. Lyon’s selection maintains his remarkable record in traditional home Tests. He has not missed a home red-ball Test since 2012 and has not been left out of a traditional Test anywhere since 2013. His recent omissions have come in pink-ball matches, including Tests in Jamaica and at the Gabba last season. The pitch at Great Barrier Reef Arena is expected to offer plenty of pace and bounce early in the match. Curator Peter Kazakoff said the surface should have similarities to the Gabba, with assistance for fast bowlers initially before becoming more favourable to batters and spinners as the match progresses. Australia also reviewed footage from the Australia A-India A match played at the venue in October 2024. In that game, neither team managed 200 in the first innings, with Brendan Doggett and Mukesh Kumar claiming six-wicket hauls. Spin has also played a role at the ground previously. Mitchell Swepson took five wickets in a Sheffield Shield match there in 2023, although that game was played later in the season under different conditions. Lyon endured a difficult first Test in Darwin, taking 1 for 102 in Bangladesh’s first innings. The Bangladesh batters attacked him effectively, at times scoring at more than four runs an over. Cummins said the decision to retain Lyon was largely based on the conditions and the likelihood of spin becoming increasingly important as the Test progresses. “If you think there’s a good chance that first or second innings you’re going to take ten with mainly the quicks relatively quickly, and perhaps the fourth innings isn’t going to break up, that’s a lot of the decision,” Cummins said. Renshaw returns after three years Renshaw will play his 15th Test and his first since February 2023 after being recalled to replace Jake Weatherald at the top of the order. Weatherald made 23 and 0 in the opening Test in Darwin, falling to Bangladesh seamer Hasan Mahmud in both innings. Cummins praised Weatherald’s contribution to the squad but said the opener now needed to return to domestic cricket and force his way back into contention. “I thought he was awesome around the group,” Cummins said. “But over the course of six Test matches, he just didn’t quite score the runs that he or we would have liked.” Renshaw earned his recall after a productive Sheffield Shield campaign last season, averaging 49.90 and scoring three centuries. He has also impressed in Australia’s white-ball setup and was added to the T20 World Cup squad earlier this year as a replacement for Matt Short. The 30-year-old has played 14 Tests, averaging 29.31, with his highest score of 184 coming against Pakistan in 2017. Cummins said Renshaw had impressed during recent tours and looked in good form heading into his Test comeback. “He’s been really impressive,” Cummins said. “He had some great off-season tours to Pakistan and Bangladesh recently with the white ball, looks in good nick, and had a really good Shield season last season.” Renshaw’s return continues the revolving door at the top of Australia’s Test batting order since David Warner’s retirement in early 2024. Travis Head has continued as an opener following his success during the Ashes, while Usman Khawaja remains the established option at the other end. Australia XI for second Test vs Bangladesh Travis Head, Matt Renshaw, Marnus Labuschagne, Steven Smith, Cameron Green, Alex Carey (wicketkeeper), Beau Webster, Pat Cummins (captain), Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood Australia will enter the second Test looking to level the series after Bangladesh won the opening match in Darwin.

Bangladesh head coach Phil Simmons has warned his players that Australia will return with greater intensity in the second Test in Mackay after the visitors stunned the hosts with a nine-wicket victory in Darwin. Bangladesh arrived in Mackay still celebrating one of the biggest Test victories in their history. However, Simmons has urged his team to quickly move on from the celebrations and prepare for a tougher challenge as Australia look to level the series. “Australia is going to come harder,” Simmons said on Thursday. “So we have to either keep that level of performance or get a little bit better. Even if we have to get one percent better in some areas, then we will have to make sure that’s there.” Bangladesh returned to training on Wednesday following an additional day off after their long journey from Darwin. The squad completed an intense three-hour session at Great Barrier Reef Arena, with the fast bowlers putting in plenty of work. Left-arm seamer Shoriful Islam was among those impressing in the nets and could come into consideration for the second Test. However, Simmons admitted that selecting him would be a difficult decision after Bangladesh's bowlers delivered such a strong performance in the series opener. “He offers something different. But again, we just won a Test match,” Simmons said. “I'm one who hardly likes to change winning teams. So it's a possibility, but I can't really say.” Bangladesh's pace attack played a major role in their historic victory, dismissing Australia for 198 in the first innings. Their bowlers maintained pressure throughout the match, while the batsmen produced an equally impressive performance by making 426 across 138 overs. Simmons believes that long periods of disciplined batting are central to Bangladesh's approach to Test cricket. “Test cricket is five days; if my team can bat for 11 hours out of those five days, then the other team must be under pressure,” he said. “For me, that's how I learned in Test cricket. You bat, you get a score. A big first-innings score is always good. Then you put the other team under pressure.” The coach said he had retained confidence in his players despite a difficult build-up to the Test series. Bangladesh had been bowled out for just 54 by a Cricket Australia XI in their warm-up match after suffering an innings defeat against Zimbabwe. However, Simmons said the team's work ethic never dropped. “I've seen the practices, I've seen how we practiced before the three-day game, and I've seen how we practiced the three days before the Test match,” he said. “Even though we made 54, an off day, the work rate didn't change. So it gives me that sort of confidence that the guys want this, and they want to do well.” Simmons also praised his bowlers for sticking to the plans against Australia's world-class batting line-up. “You try and be consistent in areas that will test them. And it worked this time. Another day, it might not work,” he said. “But as long as we stick to what we planned and make sure that they're under pressure all the time, that is what we ask for.” Shoriful could provide Bangladesh with an additional pace option. He has taken 27 wickets in 13 Tests and earlier this year impressed in an ODI against Australia, claiming 6 for 48, including the wickets of Matt Renshaw and Marnus Labuschagne. Despite the possibility of changes, Simmons remains keen to keep the team grounded following the celebrations of their historic win. “Bangladeshi people are emotional. I'm not the same, so it's easy for me to control that. It's difficult for them, but I think looking at them today, the guys have settled back down a lot,” he said. With Australia expected to respond strongly in Mackay, Simmons knows Bangladesh will need another disciplined performance to take a 2-0 lead. His message to the players is simple: the Darwin victory is already history, and the next five days will demand an even higher level of performance.

Australia have dropped Jake Weatherald for the second Test against Bangladesh, with Matt Renshaw called up to replace him after the visitors suffered a heavy defeat in the opening match in Darwin. Weatherald's omission is the only change to Australia's 13-player squad. The opener managed scores of 23 and 0 in the first Test, taking his tally to 224 runs at an average of 20.36 from six Tests. The left-hander had worked on a technical adjustment during an off-season stint in county cricket, but the changes failed to deliver against Bangladesh. He edged a drive off Hasan Mahmud in the first innings before dragging the same bowler onto his stumps in the second. Australia coach Andrew McDonald had previously acknowledged the changes to Weatherald's technique but cautioned against making firm judgments based on a limited sample. Weatherald, who received a central contract earlier this year, had also admitted before the series that he needed to score heavily to secure his place in the side. Renshaw Set for Test Return Renshaw is in line to play his 15th Test and his first since 2023. He had remained on standby for the Bangladesh series and trained with Australia's squad in Brisbane before the opening Test. The 30-year-old enjoyed an impressive Sheffield Shield campaign last season, averaging 49.90 and scoring three centuries. He has also made a strong impression in Australia's white-ball setup and was added to the T20 World Cup squad earlier this year after Matt Short was ruled out. Renshaw averages 29.31 in Test cricket, with his highest score of 184 coming against Pakistan in 2017. His return highlights Australia's continued search for stability at the top of the order since David Warner's retirement in early 2024. Apart from Usman Khawaja, who was Australia's established opener before his final series, seven players have been used in the role. Travis Head will continue as an opener after his success during the Ashes, while Steven Smith, Nathan McSweeney, Sam Konstas, Marnus Labuschagne and Weatherald have also been tried. Labuschagne Under Pressure Labuschagne has retained his place despite coming under pressure following a disappointing first Test. He scored 1 and 31 in Darwin and was dismissed in the second innings after missing a full delivery from Taijul Islam. The selectors have opted not to introduce younger batters such as Ollie Peake or Campbell Kellaway, despite former Australia captain Ricky Ponting supporting the idea of giving emerging players an opportunity. Josh Inglis remains the reserve batter but is considered an unlikely option for the top three. Scott Boland is the spare fast bowler and would likely only come into contention if Australia decide to rotate one of their frontline quicks. Josh Hazlewood took seven wickets in the opening Test and is expected to retain his place, while Australia's bowling combination could be influenced by conditions in Mackay, where a frontline spinner is likely to be required. Australia Squad for Second Test vs Bangladesh Travis Head, Matt Renshaw, Marnus Labuschagne, Steven Smith, Cameron Green, Alex Carey, Beau Webster, Pat Cummins (captain), Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood, Josh Inglis, Scott Boland.

Marnus Labuschagne’s place in Australia’s Test team is once again under serious scrutiny after coach Andrew McDonald admitted that the experienced batter “needs some big runs” following Australia’s disappointing defeat to Bangladesh in Darwin. Australia’s selectors are set to meet ahead of the second Test in Mackay, with Labuschagne and opener Jake Weatherald among the players facing the greatest pressure to retain their places. Labuschagne scored just 1 and 31 in the first Test, extending his century drought to 42 Test innings. His last Test hundred came in July 2023, and since then he has averaged only 25.32, with nine half-centuries but no century. The 32-year-old has already faced the axe once, having been dropped against the West Indies last year and sent back to domestic cricket to work on his batting technique. He responded impressively, scoring five centuries in nine innings for Queensland across Sheffield Shield and one-day cricket. Those performances earned him a recall for the Ashes, where he began with two half-centuries. However, his form has again deteriorated, with only 166 runs at an average of 18.44 across his last nine Test innings. Although Labuschagne has passed 30 in three of his last four innings, he has failed to convert those starts into substantial scores. McDonald acknowledged that the batter had shown signs of improvement in Darwin but stressed that runs remain the most important measure. “We want runs is the bottom line,” McDonald said. “He was moving well, clipping off his pads and getting back through the ball down the ground. But ultimately it’s 31. It’s not a big score.” The coach also defended the work being done with Labuschagne, saying some of the technical changes he had made appeared to have held up under the pressure of Test cricket. “We saw some change in the way that he played, so that’s good,” McDonald said. “But it is 31. He’s disappointed at that missed opportunity. He needs some big runs.” Labuschagne’s Test future at stake The decision over Labuschagne’s future carries greater significance than a routine selection call. If he is dropped for a second time within a year at the age of 32, after 64 Tests, there is growing concern that returning to the Test side could become increasingly difficult. Australia have also been keen for Labuschagne to regain his best form as they plan for the eventual departure of Steven Smith. With Smith’s Test future uncertain, Australia want an experienced batter capable of establishing himself at No. 3. Labuschagne’s position in the ODI side has also been important to Australia’s long-term planning, particularly with the next World Cup scheduled in South Africa next year. The selectors recently retained him for the Bangladesh limited-overs matches despite his poor international form, moving him down the order rather than dropping him altogether. McDonald accepted that there would be public calls for change after a heavy defeat. “The easy option is to call for change,” he said. “You lose the game. There’s going to be calls on some guys who aren’t performing to the levels that they would like or we would like.” Weatherald also under pressure Jake Weatherald is facing similar scrutiny after scores of 23 and 0 in Darwin. The opener now averages only 20.36 after 12 Test innings. Weatherald made significant technical adjustments following the Ashes in an attempt to avoid being trapped lbw. However, the changes may have affected his judgment outside off stump, with the batter nicking behind and chopping onto his stumps during the opening Test. McDonald said it was too early to determine whether the changes would succeed under sustained Test pressure. “There was some change to Jake in terms of where he lined up and his movement patterns,” he said. “It’s always hard to critique small sample sizes as to whether it holds up.” Australia’s replacement options If Australia decide to make changes to their batting order, the selectors have limited options available because no domestic cricket is currently being played during the Test series. Josh Inglis is the only specialist reserve batter in the 13-man squad, although he has batted in the top three just six times in first-class cricket. Matt Renshaw and Cooper Connolly are other options who trained with Australia’s extended squad before the series. Renshaw appears the most natural candidate for a top-three role. The 30-year-old scored three centuries in 10 Sheffield Shield innings last season and averaged 49.90, the highest average among the competition’s top 25 run-scorers. He also has an excellent record in Mackay, where he scored 170 and 135 in two of his three Shield innings. Connolly, meanwhile, is viewed as a longer-term option. The 22-year-old scored an ODI century against Bangladesh two months ago but has batted in the top three only once in first-class cricket and is yet to score a first-class century. Youngsters Sam Konstas and Campbell Kellaway are also being monitored, although they are more likely to be selected for Australia A’s tour of India in September. Australia facing a crucial selection decision McDonald acknowledged that Australia’s age profile and recent results would inevitably fuel debate about the direction of the team. “There’s always going to be calls for change on the back of a loss,” he said. “There’s going to be an emotion around that from the outside and even internally.” However, the coach stressed that Australia must focus on making the right decisions rather than reacting emotionally to one defeat. “Our guys sit in that change room at the moment, and they’re feeling it. You feel a Test loss. It means a lot to them to play for Australia,” McDonald said. Australia’s selectors now face a crucial decision ahead of the second Test in Mackay. For Labuschagne in particular, the next opportunity could be decisive as he attempts to revive his Test career and prove that he remains a key part of Australia’s future.

Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto hailed his team’s collective effort after Bangladesh secured a historic nine-wicket victory over Australia in the first Test in Darwin, saying the entire squad deserved the Player-of-the-Match award. The victory was Bangladesh’s first-ever Test win on Australian soil and came in only their third Test match in the country. Fast bowler Hasan Mahmud was officially named Player of the Match after taking nine wickets, but Shanto credited the whole team for the memorable achievement. Shanto reserved particular praise for Bangladesh’s fast bowlers Hasan Mahmud, Taskin Ahmed and Ebadot Hossain, whose incisive bowling on the opening day set the tone for the match. The trio dismissed Australia for 198 after Shanto lost the toss. “If you look at the first session of the match, I think the way Hasan, Taskin and Ebadot bowled, that set the tone for this match,” Shanto said. Hasan was especially impressive, continuing a strong run of performances that included county cricket in England before the tour. Shanto noted that Hasan’s experience in similar conditions helped him make an immediate impact in Darwin. Bangladesh’s fast bowlers took all 10 Australian wickets in an innings for only the second time in the country’s Test history. The spin department also played a crucial role. Mehidy Hasan Miraz claimed his 15th five-wicket haul in Test cricket, while Taijul Islam made a vital contribution with both bat and ball. Taijul dismissed Marnus Labuschagne at a crucial stage of Australia’s second innings despite carrying a finger injury. Shanto praised the experience of his two senior spinners and their ability to adapt to the conditions. “I thought Miraz used the conditions pretty well, especially in the second innings,” he said. “They have their experience. They have played a lot of Test matches and they know their role.” Bangladesh’s batting effort was equally significant. Tanzid Hasan scored his maiden Test century in just his second match, while the lower order helped Bangladesh build a commanding first-innings total of 426. Shanto was particularly proud of the resilience shown by the tailenders, who remained at the crease for 52.3 overs. “I think the Bangladesh team should be given the Player-of-the-Match trophy. Everyone contributed in some way or other,” Shanto said. He also singled out Tanzid’s century and Miraz’s all-round performance, while praising Hasan Mahmud, Taijul, Taskin and Ebadot for their valuable runs down the order. “I'm really proud of the way our lower order batted in this game,” Shanto said. “We usually don't get a lot out of their batting, so this was a really important contribution in this game.” The victory came after a difficult preparation period for Bangladesh. They had been bowled out for just 54 in their only practice match in Darwin and had suffered an innings defeat against Zimbabwe in their previous Test. However, Shanto said the team refused to allow those setbacks to affect their confidence. “We spoke about our mistakes, but we were also giving everyone a chance to bat and bowl in that game,” he said, emphasizing that the practice match was treated as preparation rather than a reflection of the team’s potential. Bangladesh also drew confidence from their 2-0 Test series victory over Pakistan in May, which remained in the players’ minds despite the subsequent defeat to Zimbabwe. Ahead of the Australia tour, Shanto said the team had discussed the rarity of playing in Australia, particularly for a generation of Bangladesh cricketers who had never experienced a Test tour there. Rather than worrying about Australia’s world-class batting and bowling attacks, Bangladesh focused on embracing the challenge. “We wanted to enjoy doing these things rather than feel worried about the conditions,” Shanto said. “We accepted the challenge, which showed in the way we adapted and enjoyed in this Test match.” Following the historic victory, Shanto said the team received congratulations from Bangladesh’s Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, the Bangladesh Cricket Board president and the home minister. He also encouraged the players and supporters to celebrate the landmark achievement. “I prefer keeping myself grounded. It is my nature,” Shanto said. “We should definitely celebrate this win. We get these moments very few times in our life, so we should spend the whole day in celebrating this win.” The result marks a landmark moment for Bangladesh cricket and gives the team significant momentum as they continue their Test tour of Australia.

Australia captain Pat Cummins has admitted that changes could be considered for the second Test against Bangladesh after the hosts suffered a stunning nine-wicket defeat in Darwin. Bangladesh produced a historic performance, dominating Australia throughout the match before completing the victory shortly before tea on the fourth day. Australia were bowled out for just 198 after Cummins chose to bat first at the toss, while Bangladesh responded with 426. Cummins accepted that Australia had been outplayed and said there were “no excuses” for the defeat. “I thought our preparation was pretty much spot-on. I thought it was excellent, so, yeah, no excuses,” Cummins said after the match. “They played really well.” The Australian captain acknowledged that his team failed to make the most of the conditions and struggled to build partnerships with the bat. “They outplayed us in all facets. I thought they were really patient and quite disciplined. Once we were behind, it was really hard to get back,” he said. Australia’s batting is likely to come under particular scrutiny ahead of the second Test in Mackay. Jake Weatherald managed scores of 23 and 0 in his first Test, while Marnus Labuschagne failed to convert a second-innings start. Asked whether Australia could make changes, Cummins said it was too early to make a decision but admitted the team would review its combination. “Every time there’s a game like this, you always kind of look at your match-ups and your make-up with the team for the next one,” Cummins said. “We only just finished, so we’ll have a think about it.” The defeat came despite strong individual performances from Josh Hazlewood and Cameron Green. Hazlewood claimed 6 for 89 in Bangladesh’s first innings, becoming the latest Australian bowler to reach the milestone of 300 Test wickets. Cummins praised the fast bowler for his impact on a pitch that offered limited assistance to seamers. “He was fantastic. He’s one of the hardest workers and just showed his class,” Cummins said. Green was another major positive for Australia, scoring his first Test century on home soil. Cummins praised his tempo and said Australia simply needed more support around him. Former Australia captain Ricky Ponting had already called for changes before the start of the fourth day, arguing that the team needed to begin regenerating its Test side. “I think it’s inevitable they have to make change,” Ponting said on Channel 7. Ponting suggested that Australia could look at bringing in another opener and potentially making a change at No. 3. The second Test in Mackay will therefore be closely watched, with Australia under pressure to respond quickly and Bangladesh aiming to build on one of the biggest Test victories in their history.

Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto has described his team’s historic nine-wicket victory over Australia in the first Test in Darwin as the “biggest win so far for Bangladesh in any format.” The victory gave Bangladesh an unassailable 1-0 lead in the two-match series and marked one of the most significant results in the country’s Test history. Ranked ninth in the Test rankings, Bangladesh produced an outstanding all-round performance to defeat the world No. 1 side on home soil. “This is the biggest win so far for Bangladesh in any format,” Shanto said during the post-match presentation. “Going forward, we will do something special in the future. Very happy and proud of myself and the way the boys played. We did a lot of hard work and are very happy to win.” Bangladesh’s victory was built around a disciplined bowling performance. Their fast bowlers claimed all 10 Australian wickets in the first innings, restricting the hosts to 198. Mehidy Hasan Miraz then took five wickets in the second innings as Australia were dismissed for 284, leaving Bangladesh with only 57 runs to chase. Shanto highlighted the emergence of Bangladesh’s fast-bowling attack as one of the biggest developments in the country’s Test cricket. “That [the rise of fast bowlers] is the biggest change in Bangladesh cricket in the Test format,” he said. “Normally, five or six years ago, the pace bowlers didn’t want to play Test cricket since we didn’t play enough Test cricket. But in the last two or three years we’ve been playing lots of Test matches and the boys are giving importance to the Test format.” He added that Bangladesh’s senior players had played an important role in encouraging the younger cricketers to embrace Test cricket. The victory was also set up by a superb century from opener Tanzid Hasan. In only his second Test, Tanzid scored 101 to help Bangladesh post 426 and secure a commanding first-innings lead of 228 runs. “He’s exciting,” Shanto said of Tanzid. “If you look at his white-ball game, he always plays attacking cricket, but in this Test match he showed his character. He was very calm and played according to the merit of the ball.” Fast bowler Hasan Mahmud was named Player of the Match after taking nine wickets, including a six-wicket haul in Australia’s first innings. He credited Bangladesh’s preparation and commitment to their process for the remarkable result. “Our bowlers have done very well, with patience, and they followed the process, hitting the line and length, and we knew the results would come,” Hasan said. Mehidy was another key figure in the victory, claiming his 15th five-wicket haul in Test cricket. He took the crucial wicket of Steven Smith on the third evening before completing the Australian innings with the final wicket on the fourth day. “It was an excellent performance by our team,” Mehidy said. “The way we played shows our character. Everything was perfect.” Mehidy also praised the team’s belief after Bangladesh lost their practice match before the Test. He said the players viewed the series as a major opportunity to make an impact in Australian conditions. Bangladesh’s victory continued an impressive run in Test cricket under Shanto’s leadership. The team has now won three of its four Tests this year, establishing itself as a growing force in the longest format. Mehidy also praised Shanto’s captaincy, saying the Bangladesh skipper had made important decisions at the right moments. “He is a very good captain and he makes very good decisions at the right time,” Mehidy said. With the second Test in Mackay just six days away, Bangladesh now have an opportunity to complete a historic 2-0 series sweep. Shanto, however, remained cautious despite the confidence generated by the Darwin triumph. “We have that evidence but we need to play good cricket,” he said. “We have to play five days of good cricket. Follow the process, play session by session. Bowlers did their job, batsmen chipped in, and especially the lower middle order and lower order, the way they added. Those are the things we need to play in Mackay.” Bangladesh will now look to carry the momentum from Darwin into the second Test and attempt to secure a historic series whitewash against Australia.

Australia remain confident of pulling off a remarkable victory against Bangladesh in the first Test in Darwin, despite spending most of the opening three days on the back foot. Australia reached stumps on day three at four wickets down in their second innings and still 67 runs behind Bangladesh. Cameron Green and Alex Carey steadied the hosts with an unbeaten partnership of 39 runs, but Australia will need a much stronger batting effort on day four to turn the match around. Josh Hazlewood, who reached the milestone of 300 Test wickets during Bangladesh's first innings, believes Australia can still force a result if their lower and middle order can bat deep into the fourth day.“The win is still definitely in our mind, and always is pretty much. So we'll look to do whatever we can to move towards that.” Hazlewood acknowledged that the pitch had shown some uneven bounce, although Australia have limited experience playing Test cricket at the Darwin venue. He suggested that if Australia could spend much of the fourth day batting and build a substantial lead, their four-pronged attack could have an opportunity to bowl Bangladesh out on the final day. Australia face a significant statistical challenge. They would need to overturn a 228-run first-innings deficit, which would be their biggest successful recovery from a deficit at home. Their previous best was a 206-run deficit against Pakistan at the Sydney Cricket Ground in 2010. The largest deficit Australia have ever overcome came in Colombo in 1992, when they recovered from 291 runs behind Sri Lanka to win by 16 runs. Australia eventually defended a target of 181, with Shane Warne playing a decisive role in one of the early match-winning performances of his Test career. Green key to Australia's hopes Much of Australia's hopes now rest on their middle order, with Cameron Green having an opportunity to produce a significant innings and ease questions surrounding his place in the team. Green and Alex Carey were at the crease at the end of the third day, but Australia had already lost Jake Weatherald, Marnus Labuschagne and Steve Smith among others. Weatherald and Labuschagne remain under pressure after loose dismissals, while Green survived a major scare when he was on 12. An inside edge against Taskin Ahmed narrowly missed the leg stump and did not have enough force to dislodge the bail. Hazlewood backed Green's approach, pointing to his positive intent throughout both innings.“I think he's shown good intent from ball one in both innings. He looked to score, put the pressure back on the bowler.” He also admitted that Australia would need some luck if they were to complete a remarkable turnaround. Bangladesh target early breakthroughs Bangladesh, meanwhile, remain in control and are hoping to keep Australia's eventual target as low as possible. Allrounder Mehidy Hasan Miraz followed his first-innings half-century by dismissing Steve Smith, giving Bangladesh another crucial breakthrough as they tightened their grip on the contest. Mehidy believes the opening session of day four could determine the direction of the match. Bangladesh's immediate objective is to claim at least three or four more wickets before Australia can establish a significant lead.“If we can take at least three or four wickets within these [67] runs, then we won't have a difficult target coming up.” Bangladesh have already worked hard for Australia's four second-innings wickets and are aware that several experienced batters remain in the hosts' lineup. With Australia's four frontline bowlers all now members of the 300-Test-wicket club, Bangladesh know they could face a dangerous final-day challenge if the hosts manage to bat themselves into a position of strength. For now, however, Bangladesh hold the advantage. Australia need a major recovery with the bat on day four if they are to keep alive their hopes of completing one of the most unlikely Test victories in their history.