Aussies Salvage Pride with Thrilling 1-Wicket Win Over Bangladesh

Team Australia arrived in Dhaka for an ODI series against Bangladesh after a 15-year hiatus. While superior on paper and in statistics, the Aussies learned the hard way just how formidable the Tigers are on their home turf.

After being dismantled in consecutive matches and losing the series, the visitors were on the verge of a whitewash. However, they managed to salvage their pride by defeating Bangladesh by 1 wicket in the third and final ODI.

Batting first on Sunday (June 14), Bangladesh set a target of 275 runs for Australia. In reply, the Aussies clinched victory with 3 balls and 1 wicket to spare, concluding the ODI series at 2-1.

A Flashing Start and Shoriful's Early Blows
Chasing a challenging target, Australia got off to a flying start courtesy of Cooper Connolly and Josh Inglis. The opening duo put together 40 runs before skipper Inglis departed after a cameo of 21 runs off 12 balls. It was Shoriful Islam who provided the breakthrough for Bangladesh.

Shoriful struck again in the exact same over, removing number three batter Matt Renshaw for a two-ball duck, giving Bangladesh a dream start with the ball.

Alex Carey then joined Connolly, but his stay at the crease was short-lived. Carey departed for 8 runs off 16 balls, leaving Australia reeling at 70 for 3. Taskin Ahmed claimed Carey's wicket.

Connolly’s Masterclass Rescues Australia
While wickets tumbled at the other end, Cooper Connolly held his ground. Following Carey's dismissal, Marnus Labuschagne and Cameron Green joined forces with Connolly.

Anchor-man Connolly brought up his half-century, neutralizing the Bangladeshi bowlers effectively to keep the scoreboard ticking.

Eventually, Connolly reached the magical three-figure mark. Labuschagne contributed 29 off 45 balls, while Green chipped in with 27 off 35 balls. Shoriful Islam broke the partnership by removing Labuschagne, and Mahedi Hasan dismissed Green. However, a centurion Connolly stood firm.

Holding one end secure, Connolly single-handedly carried the team's innings, handling the Bangladeshi bowling attack better than any of his teammates. Even after his century, he continued his aesthetic strokeplay toward the target, well-supported by Oliver Peake. A massive 21-run 44th over off Taskin Ahmed virtually sealed the game for the Aussies.

Late Drama and a Record-Breaking Spell
The match took another dramatic turn in the next over when Shoriful dismissed Oliver Peake and Xavier Bartlett off successive deliveries, triggering hat-trick hopes.

Although he missed out on the hat-trick, Shoriful claimed another wicket shortly after to breathe life back into the contest. Had it not been for two dropped catches in the interim, Shoriful might have spearheaded a Bangladesh victory.

Shoriful Islam finished his spell with sensational figures of 6 for 48, registering the best-ever bowling figures by a Bangladeshi bowler against Australia in ODIs.

The Final Over Thriller
With 2 overs remaining, Australia needed 5 runs with just 2 wickets in hand. Mustafizur Rahman took the ball, facing an unbeaten Connolly on 149.

The drama intensified as the first ball went for a wide. Connolly declined a single on the next delivery, followed by a dot ball. On the very next ball, Connolly played on. Mustafizur picked up a massive wicket to bring Bangladesh roaring back into the game, sending Connolly packing for a magnificent 149 off 134 balls.

With 9 balls left, the Aussies still needed 4 runs. Another dot ball brought the equation to 4 runs off 8 balls. Yet another dot ball pushed it to 4 off 7. A single off the final ball meant Australia needed 3 runs from the final over, while Bangladesh desperately needed just 1 wicket.

Taskin Ahmed was entrusted with the final over. A single came off the first ball, followed by a brilliant yorker from Taskin that yielded no run. With 2 runs needed off 4 balls, Adam Zampa smashed a boundary on the next delivery, securing a thrilling 1-wicket victory for Australia with 3 balls to spare.