Bangladesh have played 58 Test matches away from home since gaining Test status in 2000. They have played most 14 overseas Tests against Sri Lanka and have only managed to win one of them. They've also won a couple of away Tests against West Indies and one more against Zimbabwe. Bangladesh won their most recent away Test against Sri Lanka in 2017. Bangladesh have steadily improved as a cricketing nation, but in order to improve in the longer version format, they must excel outside of the country. Let's take a look at Bangladesh's overseas victories in Test cricket in the last two decades.
Bangladesh's Four Overseas Test Wins
Bangladesh have competed in a lot of thrilling cricket matches away from home, but have only won four of them. Here are all Bangladesh's overseas Test victories.
1) 1st Test against West Indies (2009)
Venue: Arnos Vale Ground, Kingstown, St Vincent
Result: Bangladesh won by 95 runs
It was the first of a two-match Test series against the Windies back in 2009. Bangladesh were the clear favorite to win the series against a second-tier Windies team. Bangladesh won by 95 runs on day 5 and took a 1-0 lead in the series. Bangladesh batted first and were knocked out for 238 runs, while the Windies made 307 runs in their first innings. Tamim Iqbal shined in the second innings, scoring 128 runs and guiding Bangladesh to a 276-run lead. In the chase, the Windies were all-out for 181 thanks to Mahmudullah Riyad's 5-wicket haul.
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2) 2nd Test against West Indies (2009)
Venue: National Cricket Stadium, St George's, Grenada
Result: Bangladesh won by 4 wickets
Bangladesh were needed a draw to win the series. However, after winning the second Test by four wickets, they won the series 2-0. During the match, both teams' bowlers achieved success. The Windies scored 237 runs in their first innings, while Bangladesh scored 232. The Windies were bowled out for 209 runs in their second innings and Bangladesh chased down the 215-run target for the loss of six wickets on day four. All-rounder Shakib Al Hasan was outstanding, taking 5 wickets in the Windies' second innings and scoring an unbeaten 96* runs while chasing the target.
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3) 2nd Test against Zimbabwe (2004)
Venue: Harare Sports Club, Harare
Result: Bangladesh won by 143 runs
After winning the second Test match by 143 runs at Harare Sports Club in Harare, Bangladesh drew the two-match Test series against Zimbabwe. Bangladesh scored a massive 391 runs in their first innings and bowled Zimbabwe out for 282 runs. Bangladesh declared their second innings 291/9d after taking a 109-run lead. Zimbabwe only managed to score 257 runs in the hunt of a mammoth 401 runs. Player of the match-winner Mushfiqur Rahim played two good innings (60 & 93) for Bangladesh.
Read Bangladesh vs Zimbabwe 2021: Test Series Preview
4) 2nd Test against Sri Lanka (2017)
Venue: Colombo (PSS)
Result: Bangladesh won by 4 wickets
It was without a doubt Bangladesh's finest overseas Test victory to date. They needed to win this match to level the series. Bangladesh won the match by four wickets thanks to Tamim Iqbal's brilliant performance in the second innings. Bangladesh scored 467 runs in the first innings in response to Sri Lanka's 338, taking a 129-run advantage. Sri Lanka managed to score 319 runs in their second innings, setting a target of 191 runs for Bangladesh. Tamim came out to bat with a lot of determination and played a crucial 82-run innings on day 5. Bangladesh won the match in the final session of the day.
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Bottom Line
When we look at Bangladesh's overseas victories in Test cricket in the last two decades it's evident that the team tigers' best away Test win came in 2017 against Sri Lanka at P Sara Oval in Colombo. Winning the Test series against a second-tier Windies side in 2009 was also a noteworthy achievement, as it was Bangladesh's first-ever away Test series victory.