Khairul Alam from Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Mirpur — In their previous 22 One-Day International encounters, Bangladesh had tasted victory against Australia only once—the legendary 2005 triumph in Cardiff. Over the years, the memories of that historic day had gathered dust.
However, after a grueling 21-year wait, the Tigers wrote a magnificent new chapter in cricket history at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Mirpur, defeating Australia by 86 runs via the DLS (Duckworth-Lewis-Stern) method in the rain-interrupted series opener.
Sent in to bat first after losing the toss, Bangladesh posted a formidable total of 284 for 8 in their allotted overs. The foundation was laid by fluent half-centuries from opener Tanzid Hasan Tamim (54) and Najmul Hossain Shanto (67).
The real impetus, however, came from Mosaddek Hossain Saikat, who marked his national team comeback after four years with a blistering, unbeaten 86 off 70 balls, smashing seven boundaries and three towering sixes. In reply, Australia’s batting line-up collapsed under raw pace, laboring to 191 for 9 before torrential rain brought an early end to the contest.
Taskin and Mustafiz Intercept the Chase Immediately
Australia’s pursuit of 285 was derailed from the very first ball. Taskin Ahmed provided a dream start for the hosts, clean-bowling Matthew Short with a delivery that combined searing pace with late swing.
In the following over, Mustafizur Rahman trapped the dangerous Marnus Labuschagne leg-before-wicket (LBW) for a duck.
Reeling at 2 for 2, Cooper Connolly stepped up as a shield for the visitors. Connolly combined with skipper Josh Inglis for a gritty 49-run partnership, briefly silencing the raucous Mirpur crowd.
However, the stadium erupted again in the 11th over when express paceman Nahid Rana forced a breakthrough, dismissing Inglis.
The dismissal sparked high drama as an fired-up Rana exchanged heated words with Inglis, forcing teammates to intervene and restore calm. The altercation only fueled Rana’s intensity, as he proceeded to tear through the Australian middle and lower order with absolute venom.
Rana and Mosaddek Trigger a Brutal Collapse
Australia attempted multiple recoveries. After losing their third wicket at 51, Connolly paired with Alex Carey for a 40-run stand. Mosaddek broke the partnership in the 20th over by removing Connolly for 35.
Carey then took the anchor role, combining with Cameron Green to push the visitors forward. Once again, it was Nahid Rana who delivered the killer blow, forcing Carey (47) to edge an express delivery to the wicketkeeper.
What followed was a catastrophic collapse. Led by the tandem of Rana and Mosaddek, Australia plummeted from a stable 128 for 4 to a dismal 140 for 8—shedding five crucial wickets for a mere 12 runs.
Rain Seals a Memorable Night
With the specialized batsmen back in the pavilion, an isolated Cameron Green fought a lonely battle. Green brought up his fourth career ODI half-century to delay the inevitable.
With Australia needing 94 runs off 46 deliveries and Bangladesh just one wicket away from a clean sweep, the skies opened up over Mirpur.
Following a prolonged delay, the match officials called off play, confirming an 86-run victory for Bangladesh under the DLS rule.
Nahid Rana finished with sensational figures of 4 for 41, while the returning Mosaddek Hossain claimed 2 wickets alongside his match-defining 86*. Mustafizur Rahman picked up 2 for the Tigers, with Taskin Ahmed chipping in with the opening breakthrough.