Australia secured a tense two-wicket win over Bangladesh in the third and final One Day International on Saturday, narrowly avoiding a humiliating 3-0 series whitewash on foreign soil. The visitors chased down 168 runs at Dhaka's Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium with just two wickets remaining, salvaging some pride after losing the opening two matches comprehensively.
Chase Ends Nervy Season for Australia
The target of 168 appeared well within reach for a team of Australia's stature, yet the Bangladeshi bowlers made life difficult throughout the run chase. Australia slipped to 95 for 6, with Taskin Ahmed and Mustafizur Rahman causing repeated problems on a pitch offering seam movement. The tourists needed 73 runs from the final 15 overs with only four wickets in hand. Australia captain Pat Cummins watched from the non-striker's end as Ashton Agar steadied the ship with a composed 42-run partnership for the seventh wicket. Agar finished unbeaten on 38, guiding his side over the line in the 48th over.
Bangladesh's Early Breakthroughs Set the Tone
Bangladesh elected to bat first after winning the toss, posting a modest total of 167 all out in their allotted 50 overs. Litton Das top-scored with 41, while captain Najmul Hossain Shanto contributed 35 at number three. The Australian pace attack, led by Sean Abbott who claimed 3 for 28, bowled with discipline to restrict the hosts. Mitchell Starc took two wickets but his economy rate of 4.80 reflected Bangladesh's struggles to accelerate against the left-arm quick. The home side lost their final five wickets for just 23 runs, squandering a platform built around their 58-run partnership for the second wicket.
Series Context and Australia's Struggle
The 3-0 scoreline would have been catastrophic for Australia ahead of their Champions Trophy campaign. Instead, the win provides a confidence boost heading into next month's international fixtures. Australia lost the first ODI by six wickets and the second by 89 runs, with Bangladesh's spinners exposing weaknesses in the visitors' middle order. The tourists fielded an experimental XI throughout the series, giving opportunities to younger players as they built toward larger tournaments. Head coach Andrew McDonald will welcome the return of several senior players for upcoming assignments.
What Comes Next for Both Teams
Australia will now turn their attention to preparation for the Champions Trophy, with squad selection discussions expected to intensify in the coming weeks. Bangladesh, despite losing the final match, will take encouragement from their overall series performance against a top-tier opponent. The Tigers climbed to fourth in the ICC ODI rankings following their back-to-back victories earlier in the series. Both teams will likely face each other again during the Champions Trophy group stage in February. Cricket fans across South Asia can expect another chapter in this developing rivalry when the marquee tournament begins in Karachi and Dubai.
Australia'sSelector Tony Naughton confirmed the team would use this series to assess bench strength, stating that the final ODI provided valuable game time for players pushing for Champions Trophy spots. Bangladesh coach Phil Simmons praised his bowlers' efforts despite the result, pointing to the overall series victory as proof of his team's growth as an ODI unit.
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