Bangladesh clinch historic ODI series win over Australia
Bangladesh created history by securing its first-ever ODI series victory over Australia with a rain-affected five-wicket win in Mirpur. Najmul Hossain Shanto, Soumya Sarkar and Towhid Hridoy guided the chase after Australia recovered from a disastrous start
MIRPUR (BANGLADESH): Bangladesh secured its first-ever One-Day International (ODI) series victory over Australia on Thursday.
A 2½-hour rain delay forced a revised DLS target of 192 in 41 overs, and Bangladesh reached 195 for five with six overs to spare to take an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series.
“It’s an amazing feeling,” batter Najmul Hossain Shanto said. “The way we played this series, we showed a lot of courage. We have been working really hard over the last few months, and we wanted to improve our game. I’m really proud to be part of this team.”
The depleted Australians began the match by losing three wickets without a run on the board. Half-centuries from Marnus Labuschagne (55 not out) and Xavier Bartlett (52) helped them recover to 187 for eight in 42 overs.
Opening batter Soumya Sarkar, the only change Bangladesh made from the team that won the first game by 86 runs, and Shanto scored 42 runs each, while Towhid Hridoy remained unbeaten on 40 off 55 balls.
Shanto had a nervy start but steadied the chase with an 86-run partnership with Sarkar. However, he edged Riley Meredith behind to give the fast bowler his first ODI wicket in five years following his recall.
Bangladesh wobbled at 144 for five in the 27th over, but Hridoy and captain Mehidy Hasan Miraz shared an unbeaten 51-run stand to secure the historic series result.
“Bangladesh have outplayed us so far in this series, so congratulations to them,” Australia captain Josh Inglis said.
Shortly before the end, Mehidy took a blow to the helmet from a Nathan Ellis delivery and dropped to his knees before vomiting. He declined a stretcher and was allowed to continue. Mehidy then hit the winning runs with a six over fine leg. Shanto later said that Mehidy was taken to hospital for observation.
Australia opted to bat first, but Matthew Short registered his third consecutive duck in ODIs. He was followed by Cooper Connolly and Matt Renshaw, who were also dismissed without scoring. It was only the fourth time in ODI history that a team had slumped to 0 for 3.
Left-arm pacer Mustafizur Rahman (3-27) and Taskin Ahmed (3-33) shared six wickets between them, while Mustafizur also accounted for Alex Carey, who was caught at point. When Inglis holed out to deep cover, Australia had lost half their side for 68 runs.
Labuschagne, batting at No. 7, and Bartlett revived the innings with a 103-run partnership. Labuschagne’s first ODI fifty in 14 innings came after he survived a run-out chance on one when Tanvir Islam missed the stumps.
The third and final match will be played at the same venue in Mirpur on Sunday.
