Shakib spins Bangladesh to their first win over Australia

Dhaka, August 31
Bangladesh pulled off a fairytale maiden Test victory over Australia on Wednesday as cricket witnessed a second triumph for the underdog in as many days. Less than 24 hours after Shai Hope’s second century of the match secured a series-levelling victory for West Indies against England at Leeds, the Shere Bangla National Stadium on the outskirts of Dhaka became the venue of another upset.
Playing his 50th Test, local talisman Shakib Al Hasan lit up the stadium with his all-round brilliance to script a famous 20-run victory that gives Bangladesh a 1-0 lead in the two-Test series. Australia tried their hardest to dampen home hopes when a 130-run partnership between David Warner and skipper Steve Smith revived Australia’s bid to chase down the 265-run target and salvage a win after being outplayed for a majority of the match.
Warner ton in vain
Warner tempered his aggression but did not altogether abandon it, as was evident from the 16 boundaries and one six in his belligerent 112. The southpaw conquered his spin demons to register a 19th Test century, second in Asia, but he fell just short of guiding Australia home on the fourth day of an enthralling encounter.
Skipper Smith led a charmed life at the other end, spilled at mid-on by Tamim Iqbal, but Australia’s most assured weapon against Bangladesh’s rampaging spinners could not make the most of his reprieve. Shakib sent back Warner and Smith, who made 37, in the morning session when Australia lost five wickets.
The left-arm spinner then snuffed out whatever realistic hopes Australia had of making it five straight wins over Bangladesh by dismissing Glenn Maxwell with the first delivery after lunch break. Pat Cummins, the lone paceman to taste success in the spin-dominated contest, blasted an unbeaten 33 down the order to inject some late excitement but was left stranded as Australia folded for 244. Shakib claimed 5/85 and was the obvious Man of the Match for his first innings score of 84 and a 10-wicket haul.
We’ve been pretty good, says skipper Rahim
Wednesday’s win came five months after Bangladesh secured their first Test win over Sri Lanka and a month before the first anniversary of their maiden triumph over England in the longest form of the game. Seventeen years since granted the Test status, there are still whispers whether Bangladesh belong in the elite group but skipper Mushfiqur Rahim remains satisfied with the progress the team has made under his leadership. “If you look at our home performance, it has been pretty consistent,” he said.