Bangladesh aim for 3-0 against Australia in ODI series

Big Picture: Bangladesh Eye Historic 3-0 Whitewash

Winning their first ODI against Australia after 21 years and then winning their maiden ODI series against them is probably not going to quench Bangladesh’s thirst for success. They will look to make it 3-0 when the two sides meet in the third ODI on Sunday. It would have been an improbable notion even a few months ago, but the home side has certainly become a vastly improved unit, capable of going toe-to-toe with the world’s best.

Bangladesh overcame a couple of tight corners to win by five wickets in the second ODI on Thursday. Najmul Hossain Shanto and Soumya Sarkar put together a strong partnership, compiling 86 runs for the second wicket after they lost Tanzid Hasan in the very first over of the chase. Later, when they lost five wickets in quick succession, Tawhid Hridoy and Mehidy Hasan Miraz calmly took them home with 38 balls remaining in their pursuit of the 192-run target.

Taskin Ahmed also made an important contribution towards the end of the Australia innings, when he took two wickets off consecutive deliveries. This crucial intervention helped reduce Bangladesh’s DLS target to 192 when the rain interrupted play at 2:35 PM. Had Australia been only five wickets down instead of six, Bangladesh would have needed a much steeper 220 runs to win.

Bangladesh would also be buoyed by the sensational start they had with the ball, when Australia were reduced to an unbelievable 0 for 3 in the second over. It was only the fourth time in ODI history that a batting side had lost three wickets for no runs. Mustafizur Rahman, who took three wickets in the first powerplay, was rightfully adjudged Player of the Match as he continues to enjoy an outstanding purple patch in 2026.

The Australian Conundrum

What has happened to Australia, meanwhile, is a question on everyone’s lips. Their top-order batting hasn’t lasted long enough to pass a fair judgment on their overall form, collapsing spectacularly in both matches. The middle-order has also been underwhelming. In an attempt to find stability, they moved Marnus Labuschagne down to No. 7 in the previous game, where he finally made a fighting half-century after going 14 innings without one. Xavier Bartlett also helped out with the bat in the second game, reaching his maiden half-century to give the bowlers something to defend.

Australia’s bowling has also lacked its usual cutting edge. While Bartlett and Nathan Ellis have threatened with the new ball, Bangladesh’s counter-attacking style has successfully got the hosts out of trouble twice in the series.

A 3-0 series win will be marked as an iconic moment in Bangladesh cricket history, mainly because of how the team is reviving itself after a couple of years of poor performances. It will also be hailed because the win is being achieved on a sporting wicket. As Taskin Ahmed proudly stated after the second ODI, they are no longer playing on a restrictive “paddy field,” but rather on pitches that offer a fair contest between bat and ball.

Form Guide

Bangladesh: W, W, W, W, L (last five completed matches, most recent first)

Australia: L, L, L, W, L

In the Spotlight: Taskin Ahmed and Xavier Bartlett

Taskin Ahmed

Bangladesh are getting the full service from Taskin Ahmed as he continues to utilize both the new and old ball with masterly precision in this ODI series against Australia. Taskin has had Matthew Short’s number in the first over of both matches, brilliantly exploiting the seam movement available due to the 11:00 AM start. He has also come back exceptionally well with the old ball, which he attributes to his long spells with the red ball during the recent Test series against Pakistan. After the second game, Taskin expressed great confidence, stating that he expects a perfect finish in the third ODI.

Xavier Bartlett

Xavier Bartlett grabbed his opportunity with both hands in the second ODI after he scored a fighting half-century with Australia’s ship sinking rapidly at 81 for six. Bartlett reached his fifty off just 44 balls, striking the ball cleanly against both pace and spin. While his lack of footwork may remain a technical issue, there wasn’t a lot expected out of his batting at No. 8. Later, he came out blazing with the new ball, consistently troubling the Bangladeshi top-order. Australia will expect a similar all-round showing from him to salvage the final match.

Team News: A Chance for the Benchwarmers?

Mehidy Hasan Miraz’s concussion could allow Rishad Hossain to return to the playing XI, while Nurul Hasan is likely to play as a specialist batter. Left-arm quick Shoriful Islam could also replace one of the rested fast bowlers as Bangladesh look to manage workloads.

Bangladesh (probable XI): 1 Tanzid Hasan, 2 Saif Hassan, 3 Najmul Hossain Shanto, 4 Tawhid Hridoy, 5 Litton Das (wk), 6 Mosaddek Hossain, 7 Nurul Hasan, 8 Rishad Hossain, 9 Taskin Ahmed, 10 Mustafizur Rahman, 11 Nahid Rana/Shoriful Islam

Wholesale changes are not typically Australia’s style, but a distinct lack of performance from key players could force some changes in personnel for this final dead rubber.

Australia (probable XI): 1 Matt Short, 2 Cooper Connolly, 3 Josh Inglis (capt & wk), 4 Matt Renshaw, 5 Alex Carey, 6 Cameron Green, 7 Marnus Labuschagne, 8 Xavier Bartlett, 9 Nathan Ellis, 10 Riley Meredith, 11 Adam Zampa

Pitch and Conditions: More Rain Forecast

Both pitches used during this ODI series have allowed both batters and bowlers to thrive once they have adjusted to the bounce and pace. Weather, however, remains a lingering concern, as more rain is forecast during match time on Sunday, which could threaten another truncated game.

Stats and Trivia

• Xavier Bartlett is Australia’s first batter at No. 8 and below to score a fifty against Bangladesh in ODI history.
• Mustafizur Rahman took three wickets in the first powerplay in the second ODI, which was only the second time in his illustrious career that he has done so.