By Maksuda Lisa (Dhaka Bureau)
It was a match of intense over-by-over tension, with the heartbeats of thousands of spectators in the gallery coming to a near-standstill during an epic battle between bat and ball. What unfolded today at the Mirpur Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium can easily be described as one of the greatest thrillers in cricket history. Stepping onto the field to escape the humiliation of a clean sweep, Australia pulled off an incredible 1-wicket victory. However, despite losing the final match, host Bangladesh secured a historic 2-1 series victory by winning the first two encounters.
While Bangladesh made the Bengal Tiger’s roar heard by defeating world cricket powerhouse Australia in a home series, the Aussies saved face through a fierce fightback in the final clash.
Fightback by Bangladesh Anchored by Hridoy and Mosaddek
Winning the toss, Bangladesh opted to bat first. However, the start was far from promising. Soumya Sarkar departed with only 7 runs on the scoreboard, and Tanzid Hasan failed to make an impact. Following a brief resistance by skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto (24), Towhid Hridoy took charge of the innings. Dominating the Aussie bowlers, he played a responsible and magnificent innings of 83 runs, providing a solid foundation for the team’s total.
Midway through the innings, the team faced some pressure when Litton Das was forced to leave the field on 48 due to extreme heat and physical illness. However, Mosaddek Hossain’s unbeaten cameo of 56 runs in the death overs guided Bangladesh to a competitive total of 274 for 5 in their allotted 50 overs.
Shoriful’s Fiery Spell and New History
Defending 275, the Bangladeshi pace attack put Australia under immediate pressure right from the start. Shoriful Islam, in particular, breathed fire on the Mirpur pitch today. The Aussie top order struggled significantly against his swing and pace. By sending stars like Josh Inglis, Matt Renshaw, and Cameron Green back to the dressing room, he brought the match entirely under Bangladesh’s control.
Shoriful’s Spell: 6 wickets for 48 runs in 10 overs.
This marks Shoriful’s career-best bowling performance in ODI cricket. He became the fifth Bangladeshi bowler to achieve a 6-wicket haul in a single match, joining the elite club of Mashrafe, Razzak, Taijul, and Mustafizur. While most of his predecessors were spin or cutter-reliant, Shoriful’s performance as a genuine fast bowler against a powerhouse like Australia will be etched into a special page of cricket history.
Cooper Connolly’s Incredible Resistance
At one point, it seemed like a matter of time before Australia would be bowled out before reaching 200 runs. However, young batter Cooper Connolly pulled Australia back from the brink of disaster. Even as wickets kept falling at the other end, he anchored his side, playing an incredible and monumental innings of 149 runs off 134 balls.
Building a crucial partnership with Alex Carey (70), Connolly guided the team to the doorstep of victory. Despite the best efforts of Bangladesh’s Mustafizur and Shoriful in their final spells, the hosts ultimately had to concede to Connolly’s ironclad resilience.
Late Drama and Brief Score
In the final over of the match, Australia needed just 3 runs for victory with only 1 wicket in hand. Reaching 277 for 9 in 49.3 overs, the visitors sealed a breathtaking 1-wicket win.
* Bangladesh: 274/5 (50 overs); Towhid Hridoy 83, Mosaddek Hossain 56*, Litton Das 48.
* Australia: 277/9 (49.3 overs); Cooper Connolly 149, Alex Carey 70.
* Result: Australia won by 1 wicket.
* ODI Series: Bangladesh won the series 2-1.
Australia’s Cooper Connolly was named Man of the Match for his match-saving knock of 149 runs. On the other hand, Bangladesh’s Towhid Hridoy was awarded Man of the Series for his brilliant and consistent batting performance throughout the series, which played a pivotal role in Bangladesh’s historic triumph.
Combining Australia’s relief at avoiding a whitewash with Bangladesh’s joy over a historic series victory, this Mirpur thriller will linger in the memories of cricket lovers for a long time to come.
##########
The Writer:
Maksuda Lisa: Staff Correspondent, Pressenza- Dhaka Bureau.