Bangladesh came within touching distance of a historic series clean sweep over Australia before the visitors escaped with a dramatic one-wicket victory in Mirpur on Sunday, sealing the match with just three balls remaining.
Chasing 275, Australia endured pressure throughout a tense final innings. The pursuit reached a critical phase when 35 runs were required from 42 deliveries. Cooper Connolly led the recovery alongside Oliver Peake, keeping the chase alive despite regular breakthroughs from Bangladesh.
The decisive moment arrived in the final over. With Australia needing just three runs, Taskin Ahmed delivered a full ball outside off stump. Adam Zampa met it cleanly, driving through the covers for four to secure a consolation win for the tourists.
Bangladesh had earlier posted 274 for 5 after winning the toss and choosing to bat. Towhid Hridoy anchored the innings with 83 from 88 balls, while Mosaddek Hossain added an unbeaten 56 from 51 deliveries. Litton Das contributed a resilient 58 before retiring hurt due to calf cramps. Matt Renshaw was the most effective of the Australian bowlers, finishing with 2 for 7, while Xavier Bartlett and Ben Dwarshuis took one wicket each.
Australia’s reply began briskly. Connolly and Josh Inglis added 30 runs in under three overs before Shoriful Islam struck twice in a remarkable opening spell, removing Inglis and Matt Renshaw in consecutive deliveries. He later dismissed Marnus Labuschagne for 29 and returned to remove Oliver Peake and Xavier Bartlett in the 46th over, finishing with outstanding figures of 6 for 48.
Bangladesh had earlier reduced Australia further when Taskin Ahmed dismissed Alex Carey for 8, with Soumya Sarkar completing a diving catch. At that stage, Australia was 71 for 3.
Despite the pressure, Connolly anchored the chase with composure. He shared a 53-run stand with Labuschagne and later partnered Peake for another vital contribution. The 21-year-old reached a maiden ODI century and went on to score 149 from 134 balls, striking 13 boundaries and six sixes. His innings ended when he was bowled off a Mustafizur Rahman cutter.
A decisive over from Taskin, however, shifted momentum back to Australia. Connolly struck three consecutive sixes off him in the 45th over, turning a situation where Australia needed 30 from 36 balls. That over proved crucial in reversing Bangladesh’s grip on the match.
With Connolly gone, Australia’s lower order held firm. Zampa ensured the chase was completed in the final over, denying Bangladesh a 3-0 series sweep despite Shoriful Islam’s earlier brilliance and a strong home performance with the bat.
