Cooper Connolly’s magnificent century proved the difference as Australia beat Bangladesh by one wicket in a nail-biting third and final ODI at Mirpur on 14 June, denying the hosts a historic 3-0 whitewash of the world champions despite a career-best six-wicket haul from Sharifullah Islam that threatened to pull off one of the great series conclusions.
Bangladesh posted 274 for five after winning the toss and electing to bat, with half-centuries from Liton Das, Tawaid Hridoy and Mosaddek Hossain Saikat providing the backbone of a competitive total. The innings began shakily, with Soumya Sarkar falling in the first over and the hosts slumping to 61 for three. Liton and Hridoy steadied the ship with a fourth-wicket partnership of 92, with Hridoy going on to make 83 before Liton, who briefly left the field with an injury before returning, finished unbeaten on 58 to complete his first ODI fifty at Mirpur. Mosaddek then added an unbeaten 56 off a rapid innings to push Bangladesh past 270.
Australia came out with intent in the chase, attacking Taskin Ahmed and Mustafizur Rahman from the outset to reach 38 in the first four overs. Sharifullah responded by dismissing Josh Inglis and Matt Renshaw in his very first over, and when Taskin removed Alex Carey, Bangladesh dared to believe.
What followed was a masterclass in composure from the 22-year-old Connolly. He added 64 with Marnus Labuschagne, who played a supporting role while Connolly took the attack to the Bangladesh bowlers, reaching his fifty off just 51 balls. Even after Labuschagne departed, Connolly pressed on, putting on another partnership with Cameron Green before bringing up his maiden ODI century off 87 balls. It was an innings of remarkable maturity from a player of his age.
Green contributed 27 and 19-year-old debutant Oliver Pick added a useful 27 lower down, but it was Connolly who carried Australia to the brink of victory. Sharifullah then produced a stunning late burst, taking two wickets in successive balls to remove Pick and Xavier Bartlett and claim his maiden ODI five-wicket haul before adding a sixth, sending Bangladesh’s hopes surging once more. But Australia, needing just a handful more runs, crossed the line with three balls remaining and one wicket in hand, reaching their target of 275 in 49.3 overs.
Sharifullah finished with six wickets, the outstanding bowling performance of the series, but received insufficient support from the other end. Taskin, Mustafizur and Sheikh Mehedi Hasan each took one wicket.
The defeat ends Bangladesh’s dream of a clean sweep, but the series win, secured in the first two matches, remains a historic achievement. It was the first time Bangladesh had beaten Australia in an ODI since 2005 and their first ever series victory against the world champions.
