Bangladesh created history in Dhaka by securing their ODI series victory against Australia, chasing down a revised target to claim a memorable five-wicket win in the second match of the series.
The victory was built on a complete team performance. Bangladesh’s bowlers produced a sensational start to leave Australia reeling, before the batting unit held its nerve during a rain-affected chase to complete a landmark triumph.
Bangladesh Pacers Leave Australia Shell-Shocked
The match began in extraordinary fashion as Bangladesh’s new-ball attack ripped through Australia’s top order.
Taskin Ahmed struck in the opening over when Matthew Short left a delivery that crashed into his stumps, extending the batter’s difficult run of form. The damage continued moments later when Mustafizur Rahman removed Cooper Connolly and Matt Renshaw in the same over, leaving Australia at 0 for 3.
The visitors slipped further to 25 for 4 when Alex Carey was dismissed, as Bangladesh dominated the opening exchanges through disciplined pace bowling and relentless pressure.
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Mustafizur finished with impressive figures of 3 for 27, while Taskin claimed 3 for 33 to cap another outstanding performance with the new ball.
Labuschagne and Bartlett Rescue Australia
Facing a major collapse, Australia needed a response and found it through Marnus Labuschagne and Xavier Bartlett.
Labuschagne anchored the innings with an unbeaten 55 from 85 deliveries, while Bartlett produced the best innings of his ODI career. Batting at No. 8, Bartlett counterattacked brilliantly, scoring 52 from 48 balls and striking several powerful boundaries.
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The pair shared a crucial 103-run partnership for the seventh wicket, transforming Australia’s position after they had been reduced to 81 for 6.
Their recovery helped Australia reach 187 for 8 before rain interrupted play, giving the visitors at least a competitive total to defend.
Soumya and Shanto Lay the Foundation
After the lengthy rain delay, Bangladesh resumed their chase with a revised target of 192.
Xavier Bartlett briefly threatened to create another dramatic collapse, dismissing Tanzid Hasan early and producing several nervous moments in his opening spell. However, Soumya Sarkar and Najmul Hossain Shanto quickly settled the innings.
Soumya played positively throughout his 42-run knock, attacking both pace and spin, while Shanto matched him with a composed 42 of his own. Their partnership ensured Bangladesh remained comfortably ahead of the required rate.
Although Australia fought back through Riley Meredith, Cameron Green and Matt Renshaw, Bangladesh never completely lost control of the chase.
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Hridoy Finishes the Job
The match tightened when Bangladesh slipped to 144 for 5, bringing Australia back into contention.
However, Towhid Hridoy once again demonstrated his value under pressure. The middle-order batter remained unbeaten on 40 and guided the chase expertly during the closing stages.
Captain Mehidy Hasan Miraz provided valuable support despite taking a painful blow to the helmet during his innings. The pair calmly absorbed the pressure before accelerating towards the finish line.
Hridoy effectively ended the contest with a six and a boundary off Meredith, while Mehidy completed the victory with a towering hook shot over the boundary.
A Milestone Win for Bangladesh
The result represents one of Bangladesh’s most significant ODI achievements. While they have defeated Australia in the opening ODI, securing a series victory against one of cricket’s traditional powerhouses marks a new milestone in the team’s development.
“This is a memorable win for everyone involved,” Taskin Ahmed said. “We still have one match left in the series but we are already 2-0 up. We will remember this for a long time.
“I think the best part is that we won playing on a good wicket. We played good cricket. We batted well in the first game. The second match was tight but we came through. It is certainly a relief beating Australia in an ODI series. Maybe they didn’t have three or four of their players but still Australia has the ability to do well on a good wicket. To win against them is special.”
Bangladesh’s success was built on outstanding fast bowling, disciplined execution, and a composed chase under pressure. With contributions from Taskin Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman, Soumya Sarkar, Najmul Hossain Shanto and Towhid Hridoy, the hosts delivered a performance that will be remembered as a landmark moment in Bangladesh cricket history.
