‘The conditions in Darwin caught the Aussies by surprise’ – Ravichandran Ashwin hails Bangladesh after historic Test win

Bangladesh completed a nine-wicket victory over Australia in the first Test at Marrara Stadium, Darwin, on August 16, 2026. The win arrived on the fourth day of a match played from August 13 to 16. The full scoreline read Australia 198 and 284, Bangladesh 426 and 57 for 1.

Former India off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin responded to the result on social media. The post drew attention to Darwin as a venue and to the role that pitch conditions at less-frequented Test grounds can play in a series outcome.

“Damn good from Bangladesh and this reiterates the value of designated test centres. The conditions in Darwin have caught the ausies by surprise,” wrote Ashwin on X.

Hasan Mahmud and Mehidy Hasan Miraz drive Bangladesh bowling effort

The victory is Bangladesh’s first on Australian soil and only their second Test win against Australia in cricket history. It also made Bangladesh the second-quickest visiting side to win a Test in Australia, achieving the feat in just their third attempt. Their previous tour of Australia had come 23 years before this series, making the result all the more significant.

Hasan Mahmud laid the foundation with the ball, taking 6 for 55 to bowl Australia out for 198 in the first innings. He was later named Player of the Match after finishing with combined figures of 6 for 55 and 3 for 56. In Australia’s second innings, Mehidy Hasan Miraz claimed 5 for 66 from 33.1 overs at an economy of 2.00, his 15th five-wicket haul in Tests and his third in an overseas Test. Taijul Islam and Taskin Ahmed each took one wicket in that second innings.

Bangladesh batting and the match result

Bangladesh’s first-innings total of 426 gave them a commanding lead. Opener Tanzid Hasan scored 101, his maiden Test century, as part of that effort. Cameron Green scored 104 in Australia’s second innings, described as his third Test century, but it was not enough to prevent the defeat. Alex Carey was caught behind for 30 on the fourth morning as Australia’s second innings closed on 284.

The result carried added weight given the pre-match context. Bangladesh had been bowled out for 54 in a warm-up match against a CA XI the week before the Test and were without pace bowler Nahid Rana for the series. Australia’s attack included four bowlers with more than 300 Test wickets each. The Marrara pitch offered variable bounce and turn that Australia’s batters struggled to handle across the four days. A second Test in the series is expected to follow.