With just 16 victories in 134 matches, Bangladesh’s record in Test cricket is extremely subpar. The Bangla Tigers have received harsh criticism in the past from a number of legendary players because of their record like this. After a disappointing performance in the longest form of the game, some former greats questioned Bangladesh’s elevation after they received Test status in the year 2000.

Sir Geoffrey Boycott, a former English cricketer, slammed the Bangla Tigers for not being worthy of Test status in 2010 while they were on tour in England. Tamim Iqbal did not like what he said, so in the first Test at Lord’s, he responded to Boycott with a bat by scoring 103 runs in just 100 deliveries in the second innings. Bangladesh may not be able to improve quickly in Tests over the next few years, but based on their performances over the past few years, it can be said that they want to do better in the longest form of the game. Their recent victories over big teams at home and abroad clearly demonstrate that they are no longer considered minnows.

HERE’S A GLANCE AT A FEW OF BANGLADESH’S MOST MEMORABLE WINS

Bangladesh vs West Indies, 2nd Test, Mirpur, 2018

During the West Indies’ tour of Bangladesh in November 2018, the hosts prevailed over the visitors by 64 runs in the first Test. The tourists needed to win their second game to level the series after winning the first game decisively against the Windies. However, Shakib Al Hasan and his men lacked the compassion to spare. Shakib Al Hasan, captain of the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium, decided to bat first after winning the toss. His goal was to put a big total on the board.

Bangladesh lost five wickets with 190 runs on the board in the first stage because their batsmen did not appear capable of scoring big. However, when Mahmudullah took the field, things changed in Bangladesh’s favor. He formed important partnerships with Shakib and Litton Das, and the hosts scored a staggering 508 runs.

In the first innings, Bangladesh’s bowlers had to keep the West Indies to a low total. Shakib (3/27) and Mehidy Hasan Miraz (7/58) acted in this manner, wreaking havoc on the Windies team and defeating them for 111.

Shakib decided to impose a follow-on after observing the incredible form of his bowlers. The West Indian batsmen quickly surrendered the game to Bangladesh, scoring only 213 runs in the second innings, following their poor performance with the bat in the first innings. With a massive score of an innings and 184 runs, Bangladesh won the match in the end.

Sri Lanka vs Bangladesh, 2nd Test, Colombo, 2017

Bangladesh returned to play the second match at the P. Sara Oval in Colombo after a humiliating defeat by 259 runs to Sri Lanka in the first Test in Galle. Since they had never lost to Bangladesh in the longest form of the sport before, Sri Lanka were odds-on favorites going into the game.

In contrast, the Bangla Tigers were under pressure to salvage their pride by winning the match and leveling the series.

Rangana Herath, the captain of Sri Lanka, decided to bat first after winning the toss. However, his top-order batsmen made a poor start, losing their first four wickets with just 70 runs on the board. However, Dinesh Chandimal’s 138-run innings contributed to the Lankan Lions’ healthy score of 338 in the first innings.

Bangladesh responded with a strong response, scoring 467 in their first innings to take a 129-run lead. By scoring 116 runs, Shakib, one of Bangladesh’s more seasoned batters, demonstrated once more why he is one of the team’s best batters.

Bangladesh bowlers had to finish Sri Lanka’s second innings at a low and win the game for the team with such a large lead. Shakib took four wickets in the second innings after scoring an incredible century with the bat.

With his remarkable effort, Bangladesh finished Sri Lanka’s innings for 319, leaving Bangladesh’s batsmen with just 191 runs to chase. Rangana Hearth, the captain of Sri Lanka, attempted to cause trouble for Bangladesh by early dismissing Soumya Sarkar and Imrul Kayes. However, Tamim Iqbal’s 82-run knock allowed the team to win the match with four wickets remaining.

Bangladesh vs Australia, 1st Test, Mirpur, 2017

By defeating Australia in the longest format of the game in their own backyard in 2017, the Bangladesh cricket team provided one of the happiest moments for their fans. Bangladesh won the toss and chose to bat first at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Mirpur. They scored 260 in the first innings, led by superb efforts from Tamim Iqbal (71 runs) and Shakib Al Hasan (84 runs).

The Bangladesh bowlers ended the Australian innings for just 217 runs, consolidating and delivering a solid performance with just 260 runs on the board. 

Bangladesh had a 43-run advantage and were in charge. In the subsequent innings, Tamim Iqbal again astonished with the bat by hitting 78 runs.Mehidy Hasan, Sabbir Rahman, and Mushfiqur Rahim all scored 41, 22, and 26 points, respectively. The Bangla Tigers scored 221 runs during their innings of batting.

The Australian batting line-up failed to reach 244 in the face of Bangladesh’s potent spin bowling attack while attempting to score 265 runs. But David Warner who scored 112 runs, no other Aussie hitter had the option to show a positive goal on the turning wicket.

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By securing a five-wicket haul, Shakib demonstrated his brilliance. Mehidy Hasan, on the other hand, made a positive contribution as well, taking two wickets. Nevertheless, Taijul Islam’s conventional left-arm off spin bowling also claimed three Australian batters. Bangladesh once more shocked the cricketing world with a stunning victory over Australia by 20 runs.