Bangladesh defeated Australia by five wickets to clinch their first-ever men’s ODI series victory over the six-time world champions. Chasing a revised DLS target of 192, Bangladesh reached 195 for 5 with 36 balls to spare in Mirpur. The win gives them an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series and ends a 21-year streak without an ODI victory against the Australians prior to this week.
What We Know
- Australia collapsed instantly, losing their first three wickets without scoring a single run.
- Marnus Labuschagne (55) and Xavier Bartlett (52) recovered the innings to post 187 for 8 in 42 overs.
- Bangladesh chased the DLS target in 35 overs, anchored by Soumya Sarkar (42) and Najmul Hossain Shanto (41).
- Mustafizur Rahman and Taskin Ahmed took three wickets each to dismantle the Australian top order.
Australia is playing its first bilateral ODI series in Bangladesh in 15 years. They came into this matchup fresh off a 2-1 series loss to Pakistan and struggled again on the slow, seam-friendly pitch. The visitors made changes before the toss, recalling fast bowler Riley Meredith after five years, according to the AP, before deciding to bat first.
Mustafizur Rahman (3/27) and Taskin Ahmed (3/33) tore through the top order immediately. The match faced weather disruptions, with the Australia vs Bangladesh 2nd ODI suspended by rain after early collapse issues plaguing the visitors. Labuschagne and Bartlett eventually stabilized the innings, but the total was never enough to challenge the hosts.
Bangladesh controlled the chase from the start. Soumya Sarkar hit 42, and Tawhid Hridoy finished unbeaten on 40 to see the team home. This secures the series, confirming the historic outcome and a final 5-wicket margin for the hosts.
Australian stand-in captain Josh Inglis did not mince words about the start of the match. “Anytime you lose three wickets that early, it’s tough to come back from,” Inglis said.