Bangladesh created history in Dhaka by clinching their maiden ODI series triumph over Australia, sealing the contest with a five-wicket victory in the second match. Chasing a revised DLS target of 192 after rain interrupted play, the hosts overcame a few late nerves to secure an unassailable lead in the series.
The foundation for the win was laid by Bangladesh’s bowlers, who produced a sensational start by dismissing Australia’s top three batters before a single run was scored. Taskin Ahmed and Mustafizur Rahman spearheaded the assault, claiming three wickets apiece and leaving the visitors reeling in the opening overs.
Despite the disastrous beginning, Australia recovered admirably to post 187 for 8 in 42 overs before rain halted proceedings. They became only the fourth side in ODI history to find themselves at 0 for 3 and still reach a competitive total. Marnus Labuschagne and Xavier Bartlett were responsible for the revival, combining for a valuable 103-run partnership for the seventh wicket. Labuschagne remained unbeaten on 55, while Bartlett registered a career-best 52.
When the chase resumed after the lengthy delay, Bartlett carried his confidence into the ball-in-hand role. He immediately troubled Bangladesh, drawing a huge appeal from the opening delivery before dismissing Tanzid Hasan with a return catch later in the over. Najmul Hossain Shanto also survived a testing spell, escaping a difficult chance and overturning an lbw decision via review.
Bangladesh responded positively through Soumya Sarkar, recalled to the side for the match. He struck several crisp boundaries and attacked both the seamers and spinners, sharing a fluent opening stand with Shanto. The pair kept the scoreboard moving with aggressive strokeplay, including a towering six from Soumya over long-on.
Australia eventually broke through when Matt Renshaw removed Soumya, whose attempted reverse paddle found a fielder at slip. Riley Meredith then accounted for Shanto shortly afterwards, while Cameron Green added further pressure by dismissing Litton Das with a sharp delivery that took the glove.
Mosaddek Hossain, hero of Bangladesh’s first-match victory, briefly counterattacked before falling to Cooper Connolly. At 144 for 5, the hosts still required work to finish the chase, particularly with the lower order exposed.
Captain Mehidy Hasan Miraz and Towhid Hridoy ensured there would be no collapse. Mehidy battled on despite taking a blow to the head, while Hridoy accelerated at the crucial moment. A six and boundary off Meredith brought the target within touching distance before Mehidy completed the win with another boundary-clearing hook shot.
Earlier, Australia’s innings had unravelled almost immediately. Taskin dismissed Matthew Short for a second straight match, bowling him through the gate after the opener shouldered arms. The duck extended Short’s lean run, marking his third successive score of zero in ODI cricket.
Mustafizur then struck twice in quick succession. Cooper Connolly edged behind first ball, while Renshaw departed in similar fashion later in the over. Australia had yet to score when the third wicket fell.
The collapse deepened when Alex Carey was caught at point after driving loosely at Mustafizur, reducing Australia to 25 for 4. The left-arm seamer’s powerplay spell yielded three wickets, only the second such occurrence in his ODI career.
Josh Inglis attempted to rebuild the innings with a lively 34 that featured five boundaries, including an impressive six off Nahid Rana. However, spinner Tanvir Islam halted his progress and soon removed Cameron Green as well, leaving Australia in deeper trouble.
The visitors’ recovery was engineered by Labuschagne and Bartlett. Labuschagne, batting lower down the order at No. 7, anchored the innings with a measured half-century after surviving an early run-out chance. Bartlett played the more aggressive role, striking six boundaries and two sixes in a counterattacking knock that shifted momentum.
Taskin eventually ended the partnership by bowling Bartlett with an inswinger in the penultimate over. He then removed Adam Zampa with the very next delivery, ensuring Australia could not add significant late runs. Those wickets also proved significant when the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern calculations were applied after the rain interruption, leaving Bangladesh with a manageable target that they successfully chased down.
– Ends
