Khairul Alam from Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Mirpur – Bangladesh has scripted a historic chapter in its cricket history by securing their first-ever One Day International (ODI) series victory against powerhouse Australia.
Before this series, the Tigers had tasted victory against Australia in this format only once—the legendary 2005 clash in Cardiff. Twenty-one years later, Mirpur became the stage for an unforgettable triumph.
Led by Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Bangladesh defeated Australia by 5 wickets via the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern (DLS) method in a rain-truncated second ODI at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium. With this victory, the hosts have taken an unassailable 2-0 lead in the series with one match left to play, wrapping up the win with 36 balls to spare.
A Shaky Start to a Modest Chase
Chasing a revised DLS target of 192 runs in 41 overs, Bangladesh’s path to victory was far from smooth despite the modest total.
Aussie pacer Xavier Bartlett struck on the very second ball of the innings, dismissing opener Tanzid Hasan Tamim for a duck via a return catch. The final ball of that drama-filled opening over almost saw Najmul Hossain Shanto depart, but a successful DRS review overturned an lbw decision, giving the batsman a crucial lifeline.
Shanto and Soumya Sarkar then stabilized the innings, anchoring an 86-run partnership off 93 balls. However, both batsmen fell agonizingly short of their half-centuries, departing for identical scores of 42. Quick dismissals of Litton Das (21) and Mosaddek Hossain (15) soon left Bangladesh stuttering at 144 for 5, pushing the hosts into a high-pressure situation.
From there, skipper Mehidy Hasan Miraz and Towhid Hridoy showcased immense composure to guide the team home. Miraz finished the game in style with a towering six, scoring an unbeaten 22 off 22 balls, while Hridoy played an invaluable anchor role, remaining unbeaten on 40 off 95 deliveries.
Australia’s Top-Order Collapse
Earlier in the day, Australia’s decision to bat first after winning the toss backfired spectacularly under a relentless Bangladeshi bowling assault.
Taskin Ahmed set the tone on the third ball of the match, clean-bowling Matthew Short for a duck with a sharp, incoming delivery. Mustafizur Rahman compounded Australia’s misery in the very next over, removing Cooper Connolly and Matt Renshaw in quick succession. Litton Das safely gloved both catches behind the stumps, leaving Australia reeling at a staggering 0 for 3. Australia’s first run only came in the third over via a no-ball.
The wickets continued to tumble as Mustafizur claimed Alex Carey (13), caught by Shanto off a short-pitch delivery outside off-stump, leaving the visitors at 25 for 4. Left-arm spinner Tanvir Islam then struck twice in quick succession, reducing Australia to a dismal 81 for 6.
The Resurgence and Rain Interruption
Faced with total collapse, Marnus Labuschagne and Xavier Bartlett launched a rescue mission, stitching together a vital 100-run partnership for the seventh wicket. Just as the partnership was looking dangerous, Taskin Ahmed broke through, bowling Bartlett for a well-made 52 off 48 balls.
Heavy rain interrupted play shortly after, with Australia stranded at 187 for 8 in 42 overs. Labuschagne was left stranded on 55 not out. Following a delay of over two hours, the match was curtailed to 41 overs, setting up the historic chase for the Tigers.