Bangladesh made history at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium on Thursday, claiming their first ever ODI series victory over Australia with a five-wicket win in the rain-affected second match to take an unbeatable 2-0 lead in the three-match series.
The result also extended Bangladesh’s remarkable run of form, delivering a fourth consecutive ODI series triumph.
The match was reduced to 41 overs per side after rain interrupted play, but Bangladesh chased down a target of 192 with six overs to spare. It was a fitting sequel to the first ODI, in which they ended a 21-year wait for a win over Australia in the format.
Openers Soumya Sarkar and Najmul Hossain Shanto laid the foundation with an 86-run partnership, before captain Mehidy Hasan Miraz and Towhid Hridoy sealed the chase with an unbeaten stand of 51. Miraz finished the job in style with a six.
Soumya contributed 42 from 47 balls, striking five fours and two sixes, while Shanto, who had scored 67 in the first ODI, again proved his worth with another composed 42. Litton Das chipped in with a brisk 21 from 18 balls before Hridoy, unbeaten on 44 from 50 balls, and Miraz brought Bangladesh home.
Bangladesh had lost Tanzid Hasan Tamim for a duck off the second ball of the chase, caught and bowled by Xavier Bartlett, but the early wicket did little to unsettle the hosts.
Earlier, Australia had recovered from a catastrophic start to post 187 for 8 before rain halted play. The visitors lost three wickets without a run on the board, the first time that had occurred in their ODI history.
Taskin Ahmed struck in the opening over, bowling Matthew Short, before Mustafizur Rahman removed Cooper Connolly and Matt Renshaw in consecutive deliveries, both edging behind to Litton Das. When Alex Carey fell for 13, Australia were reeling at 25 for 4.
Josh Inglis offered brief resistance with 38, but left-arm spinner Tanvir Islam dismissed him and then removed Cameron Green to leave Australia in further trouble. Marnus Labuschagne and Bartlett then mounted a crucial recovery, putting on 103 for the seventh wicket to drag Australia back into the contest. Bartlett made 52 before Taskin bowled him, and then removed Adam Zampa with the very next delivery. Labuschagne remained unbeaten on 55 when rain intervened.
Mustafizur and Taskin each finished with three wickets, while Tanvir claimed two.
