Tigers tame Aussies in historic Test win
Syed Mohammed Pithu
Prodigious all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan gave the nation an occasion to exult before the Eid-ul-Azha, bowling Bangladesh to a groundbreaking, maiden win over mighty Australia in the first Test yesterday at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium.
The 20-run victory in first of the two-match series, held between the two sides after 11 years, gave Bangladesh 1-0 lead and thereby kept the hope alive of inflicting a 2-0 whitewash on Aussies.
As he was considered as the main threat by the Cricket Australia, Shakib proved it preciously on his 50th Test, propping up his game in as usual phenomenal fashion in both batting and bowling. He led the victory claiming his second 10-wicket haul and a total of 89 runs, including an invaluable 84 runs in the first innings.
What however wouldnt be written in the scoreboard was his body language and aggressive attitude that injected the sheer confidence to the whole team when Bangladesh were in cornered state in the face of calculative assault of David Warner and Steven Smith.
The Australian captain and his deputy resumed the fourth day on 109 for two, needing 156 runs more win the Test, in what could have been their only third victory in the sub-continent in a decade.
With Warner reached his first century in the sub-continent from an overnight 75 in just half an hour, things looked ominous. Smith was serene in ticking and nudging the scoreboard while Warner was ultra-aggressive, yet restrained. Their skill and temperament looked batting easier on a wicket that carried invariable bounce.
Shakib however changed the complexion of the game totally, dismissing both of them in just 13 runs, leaving Australia 171 for four from 158 for two. The 130-run partnership between Warner and Smith is Australias highest in the fourth innings in Asia, a thing that indicated how vulnerable their batting in this condition.
Warner hit 112 off 135, including 16 fours and one six, his 19th century before being baffled by delivery that kept low. Smith also was dismissed by a similar delivery which ended his innings of 37, lasting for 99 balls.
The crucial two wickets triggered a collapse as Taijul Islam joined Shakib to turn the match around. Taijul got Peter Handscomb (15), forcing him to edge to slip where Soumya Sarkar completed a tough catch in his second attempt.
He then removed Ashton Agar (2) with a return catch before Shakib trapped Matthew wade (4) in front. Australia in total lost five wickets for 37 in the second hour before lunch.
As Bangladesh went to the lunch, the victory suddenly looked imminent Bangladesh only needed to carry the moment, given by Shakib. The all-rounder made sure the upperhand wouldnt be ruined as he kept bowling with same vigor.
In the first ball after the lunch, Shakib got Glenn Maxwell, only final obstacle, disturbing the batsmans wicket with a delivery that kept low and spun sharply. Thus he completed his five-for, his 16th overall.
Nathan Lyon and Pat Cummins combined for 29 runs in a ninth-wicket stand to provide Australia with some hope before Mehedi broke through, dismissing Lyon for 12.
Ignoring his side strain which will force him to return to Australia and not play in the second test, Josh Hazlewood came in to bat but Taijul trapped him leg before wicket to end the match. But not before then Pat Cummins hit some lusty blows to scare the jubilant partisan crowd.
And hours after the lunch break, Australia were dismissed finally for 244, helping Bangladesh to take it number of victories in Test cricket in double digit figure.
It was Bangladeshs just 10th victory in 101 matches that came in front of the countrys Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina who after the lunch session arrived in the stadium to be the part of the history.
Shakib returned figures of five for 85, following his five for 68 in the first innings, and completed a figure of 10-153, his second best after his 10-124 against Zimbabwe.
Left-arm spinner Taijul Islams three for 60 and offspinner Mehedi Hasan Mirajs two for 80 helped in the win.
While Shakib was the fore, the contribution of Tamim Iqbal shouldnt be overshadowed. The best batsman, ever the country has produced, hit twin half-century (71 and 78), also his 50th Test, in the crucial moment to ensure Australia wouldnt get any upperhand.
Bangladesh set Australia a 265-run target after being dismissed for 221 in its second innings. The second match in Chittagong is scheduled from Sept. 4.
