Bangladesh Beats Australia by 69 Runs in Thrilling Third ODI to Clinch Series
Bangladesh secured a commanding 69-run victory over Australia in the third ODI at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Mirpur, clinching the series with an unassailable 2-0 lead. Shakib Al Hasan delivered a match-winning all-round performance, scoring 76 runs before claiming three wickets to dismantlethe Australian batting order.
Bangladesh Posts Competitive Total
After losing the toss and being sent to bat first, Bangladesh faced early setbacks with openers falling cheaply. Najmul Hossain Shanto provided stability with a patient 42-run knock, while Mehidy Hasan Miraz accelerated the innings with a quickfire 51. The hosts reached 277 for 8 in their 50 overs, a total that proved more than adequate on a slowing pitch.
The innings gained momentum through a crucial 89-run partnership between Shakib and Mahedi Hasan. Their collaboration came at a critical juncture after Bangladesh had slipped to 156 for 4, rescuing the home side from a potential collapse. Australia struggled to contain the scoring in the final ten overs, conceding 87 runs during that period.
Australian Chase Falls Short
Australia's run chase began positively with Travis Head and Mitchell Marsh building a 72-run opening stand. Marsh looked particularly aggressive, racing to 36 before attempting an ill-advised ramp shot against Mustafizur Rahman that looped to backward point. The dismissal triggered a middle-order collapse that derailed Australia's momentum significantly.
Australia lost 5 wickets for just 43 runs, sliding from 126 for 1 to 169 for 6. Captain Steven Smith fought hard with a stubborn 47, but found himself running out of partners as the required run rate climbed beyond reach. The tourists were eventually bundled out for 208 in the 43rd over.
Shakib Stars with Ball and Bat
Shakib Al Hasan emerged as the architect of Australia's downfall, removing both set batsmen during his spell of 3 for 38 from 10 overs. His ability to turn the ball sharply from the Mirpur surface troubled every Australian batsman, with left-arm spinner Nahid Rana providing excellent support by claiming 2 for 41.
The 35-year-old all-rounder now sits atop the ODI wicket-takers list this year with 27 dismissals, underlining his continued importance to Bangladesh's white-ball ambitions. His performance followed a quieter showing in the second ODI where Australia had managed to level the series.
What This Victory Means
Bangladesh's series triumph represents a significant milestone in their cricketing evolution. defeating Australia in an ODI series at home has historically proven elusive, with the Tigers managing only two such victories in their entire ODI history against top-tier nations. This result will boost confidence ahead of the 2025 Champions Trophy preparations.
Australia, meanwhile, faces questions about their middle-order composition heading into next month's T20 World Cup. The touring party blooded several uncapped players throughout the series, with Cooper Connolly and Aaron Hardie receiving opportunities in the lower order. Head coach Andre Borovec will hope to see improvements before the team departs Dhaka.
The fourth ODI takes place on Sunday at the same venue, where Bangladesh will seek to complete a 3-0 whitewash. Australia is expected to ring changes to their playing XI, potentially promoting Glenn Maxwell up the order after his destructive 64-run innings in the second match.
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