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Australia has failed to chase down a moderate total of 146 in their first T20 international against the West Indies in St Lucia, suffering a collapse of 6-19 to fall short by 18 runs on Saturday.
The West Indies scored 6-145 off their 20 overs, before the tourists were dismissed for 127.
Andre Russell top-scored for the home side with 51 off 28 balls including five sixes.
But a brilliant spell early from Josh Hazlewood saw Australia take control — his figures of four overs, 3-12 included a six off his final delivery. He knocked over opener Evin Lewis for a duck, then got rid of dangerman Chris Gayle (4) and later on stopped Russell's charge.
Australia seemed on the way to victory when they were 4-107 with Mitchell Marsh (51 from 31 balls) and Matthew Wade (33 from 14) playing aggressive knocks of note, before Obed McCoy and Hayden Walsh ran through the middle to lower order to seal a memorable victory for the West Indies.
Usual skipper Kieron Pollard was unavailable with a hamstring injury, Nicholas Pooran leading the side for the first time.
Russell's late innings hitting gave Pooran's side something to bowl at, Hazlewood outstanding with the ball for Australia with Marsh (2-26 off 4) and Adam Zampa (0-23 from 3) providing good support.
Wade and Marsh got the chase off to a flyer, Wade smashing three sixes before picking out deep third man trying to slash Russell over the boundary rope.
Moises Henriques struck two sixes from his first two deliveries before falling to Fabian Allen for 16, but with Marsh reaching 50 the game looked safe in Australia's keeping.
The West Australian all-rounder chipped back a catch to Walsh to spark the collapse, McCoy the star with four wickets as the innings fell away to give the home side a dramatic first up victory in the five match series.
All five matches will be played at the Darren Sammy National Cricket Stadium in Saint Lucia, with the second match to be played on Sunday morning (Saturday night local time).
IMAGE: Daily Bangladesh.