Najmul Hossain Shanto’s unbeaten 67 helped Bangladesh reach 140-3 after 25 overs in the first ODI against Australia at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium on Tuesday. Bangladesh lost three wickets but recovered through a strong second-wicket stand between Shanto and Tanzid Hasan.
Australia struck in the second over when Nathan Ellis removed Saif Hassan for 4. Saif pushed at a delivery outside off stump and edged to second slip, where Marnus Labuschagne completed a diving catch. Bangladesh slipped to 14-1.
Shanto survived a major scare early in his innings. Labuschagne dropped a straightforward slip chance off Ellis when the Bangladesh captain had only nine runs. Australia failed to capitalise and Shanto settled into his innings.
Tanzid and Shanto then rebuilt the innings with positive strokeplay. The pair added 50 runs in just 47 balls and kept the scoreboard moving throughout the powerplay. Tanzid cleared the ropes against Cameron Green, while Shanto answered with a six off debutant Liam Scott.
Bangladesh finished the first 10 overs on 62-1. Tanzid scored freely and reached his half-century from 41 balls. Bangladesh crossed 100 in the 16th over, with Shanto also closing in on a fifty.
The partnership ended on 96 runs from 91 balls when Ellis deceived Tanzid with a slower delivery. Tanzid drove early and picked out Xavier Bartlett at mid-off. He scored 54 from 44 balls with seven fours and a six.
Shanto completed his fifty soon after and continued to anchor the innings. Litton Das could not build on the platform, falling for 7 from 9 balls when Matt Renshaw caught a return chance off his own bowling.
At the halfway stage, Bangladesh stood at 140-3. Shanto remained unbeaten on 67 from 84 balls, while Tawhid Hridoy was 6 not out from 9 deliveries. Bangladesh will look to use the final 25 overs to push towards a competitive total.
