Bangladesh secured a historic first-ever ODI series victory over Australia, defeating the visitors by five wickets in the rain-affected second match at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium today to take an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series.
Chasing a revised target of 192 in 41 overs under the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern (DLS) method, Bangladesh reached 195-5 in 35 overs with captain Mehidy Hasan Miraz sealing the victory in style by hooking Riley Meredith for a six over fine leg.
The triumph came after another dominant all-round display from the hosts, who had earlier dismantled Australia's batting line-up before overcoming a few anxious moments during the chase.
Bangladesh's pace attack made a dream start after Australia elected to bat. Taskin Ahmed removed Matthew Short for a third consecutive duck before Mustafizur Rahman struck twice in one over to dismiss Cooper Connolly and Matt Renshaw, leaving Australia reeling at 0-3 — the worst start in Australia's ODI history.
Mustafizur added the wicket of Alex Carey as Australia stumbled to 25-4. Josh Inglis (34) and Cameron Green (25) attempted a recovery, but left-arm spinner Tanvir Islam struck twice to reduce the visitors to 81-6.
Just when Bangladesh looked set to wrap up the innings quickly, Marnus Labuschagne and Xavier Bartlett staged a spirited fightback. The pair added 103 runs for the seventh wicket, frustrating the home bowlers and reviving Australia's innings.
Bartlett struck an impressive maiden ODI fifty, making 52 off 48 balls with four fours and two sixes, while Labuschagne remained unbeaten on 55 from 85 deliveries. Taskin returned to break the partnership and also removed Adam Zampa off the next ball before rain halted play with Australia on 187-8 after 42 overs.
Taskin and Mustafizur finished with three wickets apiece while Tanvir claimed two.
Following a lengthy rain interruption, Bangladesh began their chase cautiously but lost Tanzid Hasan for a duck in the opening over to Bartlett.
Najmul Hossain Shanto survived an early LBW appeal through a successful review and then combined with Soumya Sarkar to steady the innings. The pair added 86 runs for the second wicket, effectively taking the sting out of Australia's new-ball attack.
Soumya struck 42 off 47 balls before falling to a reverse sweep against Matt Renshaw, while Shanto made an identical 42 before edging Meredith behind. Litton Das contributed a brisk 21, but Australia briefly fought their way back into the contest as wickets fell at regular intervals.
However, Towhid Hridoy once again showcased his growing maturity under pressure. The right-hander anchored the chase with an unbeaten 40 and shared crucial partnerships with Mosaddek Hossain (15) and captain Miraz.
After Zampa removed Mosaddek, Hridoy and Miraz remained composed, adding an unbroken 51-run stand to guide Bangladesh home with six overs to spare.
Miraz finished unbeaten on 22 while Hridoy remained not out on 40 as Bangladesh celebrated one of the most significant bilateral ODI series victories in their history.
The win also continued Bangladesh's remarkable dominance in home ODI series, adding Australia to a list of major teams they have conquered on home soil over the past decade.