Bangladesh sealed a landmark first ODI series victory against six-time world champions Australia on Thursday, as pace bowlers Taskin Ahmed and Mustafizur Rahman starred to lead the hosts to a five-wicket victory in Dhaka.
Australia, who were without their injured captain Mitchell Marsh, suffered an 86-run Duckworth-Lewis-Stern defeat to Bangladesh on Tuesday, with today’s win seeing the hosts take an unassailable 2-0 lead in the series.
Josh Inglis’ side won the toss and elected to bat first in the rainy conditions, but Bangladesh’s bowlers got off to a flying start, with Ahmed and Rahman Dismissing Matthew Short, Cooper Connolly and Matthew Renshaw all for no runs.
Mehidy Hasan Miraz (right) shakes hands with Australia’s Marnus Labuschagne (left)
Sensationally, it is only the fourth time in history that a team has lost all three of its top-order batters for no runs.
Josh Inglis steadied the ship, making 34 off 37 before both he and Alex Carey, who hit 13 off 17 deliveries, were dismissed.
Half-centuries from Marnus Labuschagne, who hit an unbeaten 55 off 85 deliveries, and Xavier Bartlett, who was bowled out by Ahmed, lifted Australia to a first innings total of 187-8.
The pair made a partnership of 103 runs, and prior to Labuschagne’s arrival at the crease, Australia had been languishing at 81-6.
Rahman was impressive, dismissing Connolly and Renshaw, who clipped two edges behind the stumps, while Ahmed bowled Short out before, clattering the ball into both Bartlett and Adam Zampa’s stumps.
Australia’s innings was cut short by rain, which poured for around three hours before the players could return.
Bangladesh were set a revised target of 192 from 41 overs, and the hosts cruised to their target, despite losing opening batter Tanzid Hasan, who was caught and bowled by Xavier Bartlett for a two-ball duck.
Soumya Sarkar and Najmul Hossain Shanto both brought up scores of 42 before they were dismissed by Renshaw and Meredith, respectively.
Litton Dias added 21 runs before he was caught behind the stumps by Inglis, while Towhid Hrdoy (40no) and Mehidy Hasan Miraz (22no) completed the innings, with Australia’s bowlers struggling to take wickets in the conditions.
Hear more from Michael Atherton and Nasser Hussain on the latest Sky Sports Cricket podcast, where the two former England captains joined Ian Ward to reflect on a dramatic few days for England’s Test side. Get Sky Sports or stream golf with no contract.
