Bangladesh created history on Thursday, clinching their first-ever ODI series win over Australia after a five-wicket (DLS) victory in a rain-hit second one-day international in Dhaka.
Towhid Hridoy anchored the chase with an unbeaten 40 as Bangladesh reached the revised target with 36 balls to spare. The result gave the hosts an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series, sealing the series with a match still to play and underlining Bangladesh’s growing confidence in home conditions.
The win also extended Bangladesh’s strong run in home ODI series, marking their fifth consecutive series triumph at home following victories over Sri Lanka, West Indies, Pakistan and New Zealand. For Australia, the defeat continued a difficult stretch in the format, with the reigning ODI world champions losing their second successive ODI series after a 2-1 loss to Pakistan earlier this month.
How Bangladesh sealed the series in Dhaka
Chasing a DLS-revised target of 192 in 41 overs, Bangladesh managed the pursuit with composure despite a few mid-innings stutters. Their chase began with an early setback when Tanzid Hasan departed in the first over, but Najmul Hossain Shanto and Soumya Sarkar rebuilt with an 86-run stand for the second wicket.
Shanto and Soumya both made 42, steadying the innings and setting a platform that put Bangladesh in control. However, Australia struck back quickly: Matt Renshaw dismissed Soumya, and Riley Meredith removed Shanto after a successful DRS review, briefly opening the door for the visitors.
When Litton Das fell for 18 and Mosaddek Hossain made 15, Bangladesh’s chase threatened to wobble. But Hridoy and captain Mehidy Hasan Miraz held their nerve, adding an unbeaten 51-run partnership to finish the job. Bangladesh closed on 195-5, completing the chase with time and wickets in hand.
After the match, Bangladesh vice-captain Shanto highlighted the significance of the achievement and the manner of the performance. “It’s an amazing feeling, and the way we played this series, we showed a lot of courage,” Shanto said. He added that the team’s recent work had been reflected in the last two matches and expressed pride in being part of the side.
Earlier, Bangladesh’s bowlers set the tone with a blistering start that left Australia reeling. Opening bowlers Mustafizur Rahman and Taskin Ahmed took three wickets each, ripping through the top order and putting the visitors under immediate pressure.
Australia lost three batters for ducks inside two overs, a collapse that became only the fourth instance in ODI history of a team losing three wickets without scoring. Taskin removed Matthew Short for the second time in as many matches in the series, with the opener shouldering arms to an in-swinger that came back sharply to hit the stumps. Mustafizur then struck twice in the second over, drawing outside edges from left-handers Cooper Connolly and Renshaw.
Alex Carey was caught at point off Mustafizur for 13, and Australia continued to slide as skipper Josh Inglis (34) and Cameron Green (25) were dismissed, with Tanvir Islam also among the wicket-takers as Australia slumped to 81-6.
From there, Marnus Labuschagne and Xavier Bartlett mounted a rescue act, combining for a 103-run stand for the seventh wicket. Labuschagne finished unbeaten on 55, while Bartlett made 52, lifting Australia to 187-8 in 42 overs before rain cut the innings short.
Taskin returned for a third spell to break the partnership by dismissing Bartlett, then bowled Adam Zampa on the next ball, with Nathan Ellis surviving the hat-trick. Australia’s innings ended early due to rain, and the match was later halted for nearly three hours before Bangladesh resumed their chase under the DLS calculation.
Australia captain Inglis pointed to the early collapse as decisive, noting how difficult it is to recover after losing three wickets so quickly. He praised the Labuschagne-Bartlett partnership but admitted the final total was likely “below par,” even if it gave Australia something to defend.
Why the result matters for both teams
For Bangladesh, this series win is a landmark moment against one of cricket’s biggest ODI powers, achieved through a combination of new-ball intensity, calm middle-order batting, and a finishing partnership that handled pressure effectively. It also reinforces their recent home ODI consistency, with another series win added to a growing list of successes.
For Australia, the defeat adds to concerns after back-to-back series losses, even as the team navigates the absence of many top players. The second ODI again highlighted how quickly matches can swing in the format when early wickets fall, and how even strong recovery stands can leave a side short of a defendable total under challenging conditions.