Shakib, Tamim create history for Bangladesh in maiden Test triumph over Australia

Another stunning show of left-arm spin bowling from Shakib Al Hasan, complemented by resolute knocks from Tamim Iqbal, has propelled Bangladesh to a memorable Test triumph over Australia.

Bangladesh spun their way to the historic win in the opening Test inside four days, securing the 20-run win midway through the second session at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Mirpur on Wednesday.

Only one of the Australian wicket fell to a run out in first innings. Bangladesh spinners claimed the rest of all the 19 wickets to help the Tigers go 1-0 up in the two-match series.

Bangladesh captain Mushfiqur Rahim was delighted to record the country's first victory over Australia.

"Obviously a great feeling, beating Australia," he said at the presentation ceremony.

"A great effort by the boys, especially Shakib and Tamim (Iqbal) were outstanding," he said of the duo, who featured in a 155-run partnership to rescue Bangladesh from a top order collapse in their first innings.

Having compiled a match-defining 155-run stand with Tamim in the first innings, southpaw Shakib dazzled with his 5-85 in the second innings to follow up his 5-68 in the previous to celebrate his 50th Test appearance by notching the Man-of-the-Match award.

Shakib cracked 84 in the first innings, which doubled his feat of smashing a half-century and grabbing 10 wickets in a Test match. He joined Richard Hadlee (3) as the only second cricketer to achieve the feat more than once.

While Shakib pulled of a performance worthy of his status as the world’s top allrounder, in all three formats, Tamim’s scores 71 and 76 in either innings proved to be crucial.

His second-innings knock was the cornerstone of the target the men in red and green posted for the Aussies.

In an eventful morning session, David Warner had struck his 19th Test century keep Australia in the hunt but Bangladesh then flexed their spin muscles to claim five wickets to shift the momentum rapidly.

Overnight batsman David Warner struck a belligerent 112 and added 130 runs with skipper Steve Smith (37). But Bangladesh spinners forced Australia backs against the wall with quick strikes that left them reeling at 199 for 7 at the stroke of lunch.

Resuming on 109-2, Warner batted with calculated aggression, while Smith was content to play second fiddle as they continued the good work they had started on Tuesday evening with some generous assistance from Lady Luck.

Warner survived a review before the southpaw brought up his 19th Test century, a second in Asia. Then, when the opener was on 106, he pulled a Shakib delivery and the ball flew past leg-slip before the fielder could put his hands together.

Smith was on 28 when Tamim Iqbal spilled him at mid-on but Shakib was lurking round the corner with his left-arm spin to change the complexion of the match.

Shakib first trapped Warner leg-before for 112 and, four overs later, had Smith caught behind for 37 to pile the pressure back on Australia.

On a turning track where their frontline batsmen have struggled against Bangladesh's three-pronged spin attack, Peter Handscomb (15), Matthew Wade (4) and Ashton Agar (2) all fell in quick succession prior to lunch.

Australia’s rapidly-diminishing hopes rested on Glenn Maxwell (14), but Shakib snuffed it out by going through his gates with the first delivery after the lunch break.

Nathan Lyon (12) smashed two boundaries before Mehidy Hasan Miraz had him glove back to leg slip to take Bangladesh on the brink.

Pat Cummins scored an unbeaten 33 down the order to inject some drama, hitting a couple of sixes in his aggressive innings. But he ran out of partners after Taijul Islam (3-60) trapped Josh Hazlewood leg-before as Australia were bowled out for 244.

This win along with their exploits against England and Sri Lanka over the past year are major signs for Bangladesh’s coming of age in the illustrious format of the game.

Smith said failing to pile up runs in the first innings had made their job tougher.

"It was a great Test match, credit to Bangladesh the way they played," he added.

"We probably let ourselves down in the first innings with the bat, probably should have made a few more there. It was pretty difficult batting here in the second innings and I thought we did pretty well to get 240 in the end."

Australia will slip one place to fifth in the Test rankings even if they level the series by winning the second Test in Chittagong from Monday. A second defeat would see them lose another place.