Bangladesh secure first ODI series win against Australia

Bangladesh secure first ODI series win against Australia

Bangladesh have created history by securing their first-ever ODI series victory against Australia, winning the second match by five wickets under the Duckworth-Lewis method in Dhaka on Thursday, June 11. The win gives Bangladesh an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series with one game remaining.

The victory is particularly significant as Bangladesh's only previous ODI win against Australia came 21 years ago in Cardiff.

Chasing a revised target of 192 runs in 41 overs due to rain, Bangladesh lost opener Tanzid Hasan early. Soumya Sarkar (42) and Najmul Hossain Shanto (42) then put on an 86-run partnership to take the team close to 100. After their dismissal, Litton Das (21) and Mosaddek Hossain (15) failed to build a substantial innings, creating some pressure. However, an unbroken 51-run partnership between Mehidy Hasan Miraj and Towhid Hridoy (40 not out off 55 balls) sealed the win in 35 overs. Mehidy remained unbeaten on 22.

Earlier, Bangladesh bowlers produced a remarkable performance to restrict Australia to 184 for 8 in 42 overs before rain interrupted. Taskin Ahmed and Mustafizur Rahman struck early, with Australia losing their first three wickets for no runs — the first time in ODI history that a team has lost its first three wickets without scoring. Mustafizur finished with three wickets while Taskin took two.

Australia were reeling at 81 for 6 before Marnus Labuschagne and Xavier Bartlett (55) shared a 103-run seventh-wicket partnership to revive the innings. Taskin struck twice in consecutive balls in the 41st over to remove both, ending Australia's innings prematurely before the rain arrived.

With this series win, Bangladesh have now won four consecutive ODI series.