Bangladesh stunned Australia with a nine-wicket win in the first Test of the two-match series at Marrara Cricket Ground in Darwin on Sunday, August 16.
Delving into the details of the game, in the first innings, Australia could score only 198 runs as Hasan Mahmud scalped a six-wicket haul. In response, Bangladesh scored 426 runs in 138 overs. Tanzid Hasan Tamim (101) was the top scorer. Josh Hazlewood racked up a six-fer.
In the third innings, Australia could score only 284 runs, with Cameron Green scoring a 104-run knock. In the fourth innings, Bangladesh chased down the target in 14.2 overs with nine wickets in hand.
On that note, let’s take a look at who said what after AUSvBAN, 1st Test
Najmul Hossain Shanto, Bangladesh captain:
(On becoming the first Bangladesh captain to win a Test match on Australian soil) Yeah, very happy and proud of myself and the way boys played, really proud of that. And we did a lot of hard work and really happy to win with this side. (On their fine victory, honing their fast bowling skills and has there been a recent mindset shift to not only rely on spin?) Yeah, obviously I think that is the biggest change in Bangladesh cricket in Test format. Normally in five, six years before, the pace bowlers didn’t want to play Test cricket because we didn’t get enough chance to play Test cricket. But last two, three years we’ve been playing a lot of Test matches and boys are getting importance in the Test format. So they now want to play and they want to perform because they want to be world class. So that is the mindset they have there and especially the senior guys we have, Mushfiqur Rahim, Mominul Haque, they help them a lot to encourage to play Test cricket.
(On Tanzid’s century) Yeah, obviously I think he’s exciting. 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 on the merit of the ball. And we all know he has that ability to play Test cricket. And as top order batsman, we want someone to impact for the team and he delivered this match. (Is this Bangladesh cricket’s finest moment?) Yeah, obviously I think this is the biggest win so far for Bangladesh cricket in any format. We believe that and going forward we will do something special in the future. (On the next Test in Mackay and whether there’s enough evidence they can get a clean sweep?) Yes, we have that evidence but we need to play good cricket. As I said before this Test match, we need to play five days of good cricket. So again, I am going to say the same thing, five days of cricket need to play properly. And then as we did this Test match, follow the process and play session by session. Bowlers did their job, batsmen chipped in and especially the lower middle order and the lower order, the way they batted. So those are the things we need to play in Mackay.
Pat Cummins, Australia captain:
(Can he pinpoint one area where the defeat started?) Probably that day one. You know, I thought our preparation was pretty much spot on. I thought it was excellent. So, no excuses. They played really well. I thought the day one wicket was doing a little bit early, but obviously got to try and find a way to bat a little bit longer than we did, and then, just couldn’t penetrate with the ball. But, I thought they played really well. (On their batters not capitalising on a few good starts and thoughts of any changes?) I think every time there’s a game like this, you always kind of look at your match-ups and your make-up of the team for the next one. But, we only just finished, so we’ll have a think about it. We’re pretty good at bouncing back, so no doubt the batters and every group will get together and have a good think about this one and where we can improve. (On Bangladesh having played well) Yeah, they did. I think they outplayed us in all facets, really. I thought they were really patient and quite disciplined. And, yeah, once we were behind, it was really hard to get back. (On Hazlewood picking up 300 wickets and on Green’s century) Josh, he hasn’t had a great run for injuries the last couple of years, but he’s one of the hardest workers and just showed his class. And, you know, didn’t have too much in it, seam-wise, still picking up six really important wickets. So he was fantastic. And then Greeny, again, I thought, the tempo of this innings showed how good he is. Yeah, just needed a couple of us to hang around with him, but it was fantastic.
Hasan Mahmud, Player of the Match:
(Did you have any specific plan during your practice sessions?) We gave it our all every single second during our pre-match practice sessions, keeping a clear mindset to trust our process and focus on the execution rather than the end result. We were fully prepared to grind it out over all five days, knowing the results would naturally follow. (Any specific plans against the mighty Australian line-up?) Although we had specific team plans mapped out with the coaches and analysts after studying video footage, executing those plans consistently out on the field was what made the difference. (Enjoyed bowling in these conditions?) Bowling first on a grassy pitch still required immense patience and persistence, it was all about sticking to disciplined lines and lengths, delivery after delivery. (On celebrations back home?) Back home in Bangladesh, my family, friends, and hometown community will be thrilled seeing me back in the bowling rotation and performing well. I know they will be celebrating this moment, and that means everything to me.
