Bangladesh created history on Thursday by clinching their first-ever ODI series victory over Australia, securing an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match contest with a composed five-wicket win in the second match.A lengthy rain interruption of nearly two-and-a-half hours forced officials to revise Bangladesh’s target under the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern (DLS) method. Chasing 192 from 41 overs, the hosts comfortably reached 195 for 5 with six overs remaining, ensuring the series was theirs with one match still to play. The final ODI is scheduled for Sunday at the same venue.The result was built on another disciplined all-round performance from Bangladesh after Australia’s batting lineup endured a disastrous start. The visitors lost their first three wickets without scoring a run, placing themselves under immediate pressure.Only resilient half-centuries from Marnus Labuschagne and Xavier Bartlett helped Australia recover from the early collapse. Labuschagne remained unbeaten on 55, while Bartlett contributed 52 as Australia eventually posted 187 for 8 from their allotted 42 overs.Bangladesh made just one change to the side that had won the opening ODI by 86 runs via the DLS method, bringing in opener Soumya Sarkar. The move paid dividends as Sarkar scored 42 and shared a crucial partnership with Najmul Hossain Shanto, who also made 42.After a shaky start, Shanto settled into his innings and, alongside Sarkar, added 86 runs to put Bangladesh firmly in control of the chase. Riley Meredith eventually broke the stand when Shanto edged behind, handing the fast bowler his first ODI wicket in five years following his return to the format.Despite being well placed, Bangladesh briefly stumbled to 144 for 5 in the 27th over, giving Australia a glimmer of hope. However, Towhid Hridoy and captain Mehidy Hasan Miraz extinguished those hopes with an unbeaten 51-run partnership that guided the hosts across the finish line. Hridoy remained not out on 40 from 55 deliveries.There was a concerning moment near the end of the chase when Mehidy was struck on the helmet by a delivery from Nathan Ellis. The Bangladesh captain dropped to his knees and vomited on the field. Although he declined the offer of a stretcher and continued batting, Shanto later revealed that Mehidy was taken to hospital for observation after the match.Australia’s decision to bat first backfired dramatically. Matthew Short registered his third consecutive ODI duck, while Cooper Connolly and Matthew Renshaw also departed without scoring. It marked only the fourth occasion in ODI history that a team had lost its first three wickets before opening its account.Mustafizur Rahman and Taskin Ahmed were the chief architects of Australia’s collapse. Both pacers claimed three wickets each, with Mustafizur finishing with figures of 3 for 27 and Taskin returning 3 for 33. Mustafizur also accounted for Alex Carey, who was caught at point.The situation worsened for Australia when captain Josh Inglis was dismissed at deep cover, leaving the visitors struggling at 68 for 5.Labuschagne, batting at No. 7, then combined with Bartlett to launch a recovery. The pair added 103 runs for the sixth wicket and gave Australia something to bowl at after appearing destined for a far lower total. Labuschagne’s innings was particularly significant as it marked his first ODI half-century in 14 innings. He also enjoyed an early reprieve when Tanvir Islam missed the stumps with a run-out attempt while the batter was on just one.Ultimately, however, Bangladesh’s batting depth and composure under pressure proved decisive as they sealed a landmark ODI series triumph over Australia.
