A record-breaking 149 from Cooper Connolly and a devastating six-wicket haul from Shoriful Islam defined a pulsating finish in Mirpur as Australia edged Bangladesh by one wicket in the third ODI on Sunday, denying the hosts a historic series whitewash.
Despite the narrow loss, Bangladesh still clinched the three-match series 2-1 — their first-ever bilateral ODI series win against Australia — but the final match will be remembered for a dramatic duel between Connolly’s batting masterclass and Shoriful’s fiery spell.
Batting first after being put in, Bangladesh posted a competitive 274 for 5, built around key half-centuries from Towhid Hridoy, Litton Das and Mosaddek Hossain.
The innings suffered an early jolt when Soumya Sarkar was bowled by Xavier Bartlett for two in the opening over. Stand-in captain Najmul Hossain Shanto and Tanzid Hasan added 51 runs to steady the innings before Australia struck back through Matt Renshaw, reducing Bangladesh to 61 for 3.
From there, Hridoy and Litton Das took control with a composed 92-run stand that rebuilt the innings. Hridoy anchored expertly, scoring 83 off 88 balls with eight boundaries, while Litton mixed caution with control before retiring hurt on 48 and later returning to finish unbeaten on 58.
Mosaddek Hossain once again provided the late surge, striking an unbeaten 56 off 51 balls to push Bangladesh to a strong finish and a defendable total on a sluggish Mirpur surface.
Australia’s chase began briskly before Bangladesh struck through Shoriful Islam, who removed Josh Inglis and Matt Renshaw in the same over to give the hosts early momentum.
But the defining phase of the match belonged to Cooper Connolly.
The left-hander absorbed pressure and then counterattacked with authority, building his innings with Marnus Labuschagne and Cameron Green before launching a sustained assault on the Bangladesh attack. He reached his maiden ODI century in just 87 deliveries and carried Australia deep into the chase with a commanding 149 off 134 balls.
Just when Australia looked in control, Shoriful returned to produce a sensational spell that swung the match back again. The left-arm pacer dismantled the middle and lower order, removing Oliver Peake, Xavier Bartlett and Ben Dwarshuis in quick succession to complete a career-best 6 for 48 — his maiden ODI five-wicket haul.
His spell dragged Bangladesh right back into contention as Australia collapsed from a position of comfort to 271 for 9, with the Mirpur crowd sensing a famous finish.
Mustafizur Rahman then removed Connolly in the 49th over for a brilliant 149, sparking renewed hope inside the stadium.
However, with four runs required, Adam Zampa drove Taskin Ahmed through the covers to seal a dramatic one-wicket win with three balls remaining.
Bangladesh will regret missed chances and fielding lapses that proved costly in a match of fine margins, but Shoriful’s spell and the series win still offered a major positive for the home side ahead of tougher assignments.
