Australia secure thrilling one-wicket victory over Bangladesh

Australia have secured a thrilling one-wicket victory over Bangladesh in the third and final ODI at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur on Sunday.

Australia made 277-9 in 49.3 overs in reply to Bangladesh’s 274-5 as the series, which had been secured by Bangladesh earlier, saw a dramatic finish.

While a tight finish loomed when 30 was needed off 36, Connolly smashed Taskin Ahmed for three consecutive sixes, as only nine runs were needed from the last five overs, with five wickets remaining.

The match tilted when Shoriful struck two in two balls to complete his maiden five-for. Shoriful had his sixth in his last over, as Australia suddenly became 270-8 from 266-5.

Shoriful could have had his seventh had Tanzid grabbed a catch of Zampa at gully. However, Mustafiz, who earlier dropped a catch, had the most prized wicket of Connolly when he was chopped on after scoring 149, with four runs still to get.

Australia were 271-9, with four runs still to get from Taskin’s last over. Zampa hits through the cover to seal the deal for Australia to get the consolation win.

Shoriful finished with a figure of 6-48.

Australia, however, got off to a flying start as they made 38 in four overs before Shoriful landed a double blow in the fifth over.

Coming back to the side, the left-arm pacer removed Josh Inglis, who made 21 from 12, and Matt Renshaw, who was bowled around the legs. Taskin Ahmed’s first strike halted Australia’s progress again as they became 70-3.

However, Connolly, showing an attacking mindset, led the charge in a 64-run partnership with Marnus Labuschagne, who scored 29 off 45, before Shoriful gave the hosts another vital breakthrough.

Connolly got to his maiden ODI hundred in 87 balls before he was dropped on 104 by Tanvir off his bowling.

A poor shot to a poor delivery off Mahedi Hasan saw the end of Cameron Green after a partnership of 68 runs, but Connolly remained as solid as ever.

Earlier, Hridoy scored 83 from 88, while Litton Das and Mosaddek Hossain remained unbeaten on 58 off 78 and 56 off 51, respectively, after Bangladesh opted to bat first.

Hridoy added 92 and 93 runs with Litton and Mosaddek for the fourth and the fifth wicket, respectively, after Litton was retired hurt on 48 runs.

Litton, however, returned to the crease after the fifth wicket of Mahedi—who replaced captain Mehidy Hasan Miraz—fell with 1.4 overs remaining.

Opting to bat first on a sluggish Mirpur wicket, Bangladesh lost opener Soumya Sarkar early, who became the fourth opener in the series to fall in the first over of an innings.

Tanzid and the stand-in captain, Najmul Hossain Shanto, tackled the early jolt before Matt Renshaw’s double strike put them on the back foot.

Hridoy and Litton then regained control before Litton left the pitch with the physio. However, Hridoy and Mosaddek’s partnership kept the wheel running at a quick rate of 6.72 runs per over. Reaching his fifty in 62 balls, Hridoy struck eight fours while batting at 94.31.

Mosaddek needed 43 balls to score his second fifty of the series while hitting five fours and a six. Litton completed his first fifty in an ODI at Mirpur in 75 balls.