Mosaddek Hossain Saikat and pace sensation Nahid Rana inspired Bangladesh to a historic 86-run (DLS method) victory over Australia in the opening ODI at Mirpur today, ending a 21-year wait for a win against the six-time world champions.
The win, Bangladesh’s first ODI triumph over Australia since the iconic Cardiff victory in 2005, gave the hosts a 1-0 lead in the three-match series and marked one of their most complete performances in recent memory.
Mosaddek, returning to international cricket after four years, delivered a dream comeback with an unbeaten 86 off 70 balls and later added 2-37 with the ball, underlining his value as the team’s middle-order stabiliser and impact bowler.
He was ably supported by Nahid Rana, whose raw pace and hostility ripped through the Australian top and middle order. The young pacer finished with 4-41, repeatedly clocking over 145 kph and breaking crucial partnerships to derail the chase.
Bangladesh earlier posted a competitive 284-8, built on key contributions from their top order. Opener Tanzid Hasan Tamim continued his rich vein of form with 54 off 44 balls, while Najmul Hossain Shanto anchored the innings with a composed 67 from 86 deliveries—his third consecutive fifty-plus score.
The duo added 96 for the second wicket after early setback, setting the platform before Australia struck back through Nathan Ellis, who finished with 3-38. Matt Renshaw also played a key role in the middle overs, removing both Litton Das and Shanto in quick succession to stall Bangladesh’s momentum.
But Mosaddek’s arrival changed the complexion of the innings. Combining timing with calculated aggression, he rebuilt after the wobble and accelerated superbly at the death, ensuring Bangladesh crossed the 280-mark despite a brief middle-order collapse.
Chasing 278, Australia’s innings began in chaos. Taskin Ahmed struck with the first ball, removing Matthew Short, before Mustafizur Rahman dismissed Marnus Labuschagne for just one, leaving the visitors reeling at 2-2.
Nahid Rana then took centre stage with a fiery spell, removing Josh Inglis, Alex Carey and later striking at the death to finish with four wickets. His pace, control and aggression left Australia repeatedly on the back foot as the required rate climbed steadily.
Mosaddek further tightened Bangladesh’s grip with two crucial wickets, including the dismissal of Matt Renshaw, as Australia’s resistance crumbled despite a fighting unbeaten 52 from Cameron Green.
Rain interruptions eventually ended the contest at 191-9 in 42.2 overs, with Bangladesh well ahead on the DLS method, sealing a famous win that will be remembered as a landmark moment for the Tigers’ evolving ODI side.
