Mosaddek's dream return, Nahid's pace storm hand Tigers emphatic win over Australia

Bangladesh ended a 21-year wait for an ODI victory over Australia with an emphatic 86-run win via the DLS method in the first ODI of the three-match series at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Mirpur on Tuesday.

The result never looked in doubt once Australia slumped to 156 for nine in pursuit of 285. Cameron Green and Adam Zampa delayed the inevitable with a 35-run unbroken last-wicket stand before rain forced a stoppage in the 43rd over. After more than an hour of waiting, Bangladesh were confirmed winners under the DLS method.

It was only Bangladesh's second-ever ODI win over Australia, the first coming back in 2005 when Mohammad Ashraful's memorable ton stunned the world champions in Cardiff. Since then, the two sides have met sporadically in bilateral series and ICC events, with Australia dominating every encounter.

Bangladesh's victory was built on a memorable comeback performance from Mosaddek Hossain. Returning to ODI cricket after nearly four years, the 30-year-old produced a career-best unbeaten 86 off 70 balls to guide the hosts to 284 for eight after they were sent in to bat.

Mosaddek, whose last ODI appearance came against Zimbabwe in August 2022 and whose most recent international outing was at the ICC T20 World Cup later that year, arrived at the crease with Bangladesh on 140 for four in the 26th over following Najmul Hossain Shanto's (67) dismissal.

With only Tawhid Hridoy and Mehidy Hasan Miraz among the recognised batters left, Mosaddek took charge. His sparkling knock, featuring seven fours and three sixes, lifted Bangladesh from a potentially tricky position to a commanding total. Apart from receiving a reprieve on 21, the right-handed batter barely put a foot wrong, ensuring the home side have a commanding total to defend.

Earlier, Shanto and Tanzid Tamim (54) had laid the foundation with half-centuries but both failed to play bigger knocks and left the Tigers in a fix before Mosaddek bailed the Tigers out. Australia's most successful bowler was Nathan Ellis, who claimed 3-38.

Defending 284 on a Mirpur surface offering assistance to the seamers, Bangladesh's pacers struck immediately.

Taskin Ahmed shattered Matthew Short's stumps with the first ball of the innings, while Mustafizur Rahman trapped Marnus Labuschagne lbw in the next over after Bangladesh successfully reviewed the on-field decision. Australia were in trouble at 2 for 2.

Captain Josh Inglis and Cooper Connolly attempted a recovery, adding 49 runs for the third wicket. But Nahid Rana's raw pace proved decisive.

After being struck for consecutive boundaries by Inglis, the 23-year-old responded in style, drawing an edge from the Australian captain's bat with a sharp delivery that carried through to Litton Das behind the stumps. The dismissal sparked a brief exchange between the players, but Australia were left struggling at 51 for three.

Alex Carey and Connolly added 40 runs before Mosaddek struck, bowling Connolly as the batter tried to create room. Carey then looked Australia's most composed batter, negotiating Bangladesh's spinners with confidence and building another partnership with Green.

However, just three runs short of a half-century, Carey fell to Nahid. Bowling around the wicket, the speedster induced an edge that Litton safely collected, ending Carey's innings on 47.

From there, Bangladesh tightened their grip. Mosaddek claimed another wicket, while Nahid ripped through the lower order, dismissing Liam Scott and Xavier Bartlett in successive overs to complete a superb four-wicket haul.

Remarkably, Nahid was only three years old when Bangladesh last beat Australia in an ODI. On Tuesday, he became the first Bangladesh bowler to take four wickets against Australia in the format.

Green and Zampa's unbeaten 35-run partnership from 34 balls narrowed the margin of defeat, but it had little bearing on the outcome. By the time rain arrived with Australia on 191 for nine after 42.2 overs, Bangladesh had already all but secured a famous victory.

With Mosaddek starring on his return and Nahid spearheading a ruthless bowling display, Bangladesh opened the series in style and registered one of their most memorable ODI wins in recent years.

Nahid breathes fire to put Bangladesh on brink of victory

Bangladesh speedster Nahid Rana turned up the heat with a four-wicket haul as the Tigers closed in on a memorable victory in the first ODI of the three-match series against Australia at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Mirpur on Tuesday.

Rana's four-fer left Australia reeling at 140-8 in 32.1 overs, still needing 145 runs to chase down Bangladesh's 284-8.

The 23-year-old's extra pace proved too much for the visitors as he repeatedly broke promising partnerships. Rana first removed Australia captain Josh Inglis for 17, ending a 49-run stand with Cooper Connolly. He then struck again to dismiss Alex Carey for 47, halting a budding 37-run partnership between Carey and Cameron Green.

The right-arm pacer tightened Bangladesh's grip on the contest by removing Liam Scott (2) and Xavier Bartlett (1) in successive overs, taking the hosts to the brink of victory.

Nahid Rana strikes after Mustafiz, Taskin blows

Nahid Rana got rid of Australia skipper Josh Inglis just as he was looking to build a partnership with Cooper Connolly.

The speedster had Inglis (19) caught behind with a rising pacey delivery as the visitors reached 53 for three in 12 overs.

Earlier, Matthew Short (0) and Marnus Labuschagne (1) were removed by Taskin Ahmed and Mustafizur Rahman in the first two overs of the chase. 

Connolly, who was batting on 23 when Inglis fell, had a reprieve early in the innings.  

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Bangladesh: 284 for 8 in 50 overs

Mosaddek Hossain made his return to the Bangladesh team a memorable one with an unbeaten 70-ball 86, helping the hosts to 284 for eight after being asked to bat in the first ODI against Australia in Mirpur on Tuesday. 

The 30-year-old made his return to ODI cricket after nearly four years, having last played the format during Bangladesh’s home series against Zimbabwe in August 2022, while his most recent international appearance came later that year at the ICC T20 World Cup in Australia.

The middle-order batter made most of the opportunity as he anchored the Bangladesh innings from a slightly difficult position to take the total to a massive one. 

Mosaddek had arrived at the crease at 140 for four after 25.3 overs, following the dismissal of Nahmul Hossain Shanto. With only Tawhid Hridoy and Mehidy Hasan Miraz remaining among the batters, Mosaddek took things into his own hands with his highest-ever ODI score. The 70-ball knock featured seven fours and three sixes as Bangladesh ended with 284 for eight. 

Medium pacer Nathan Ellis was the most successful Aussie bowler with three wickets for 38 runs. 

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Part-time spinner Matt Renshaw accounted for Litton Das and Najmul Hossain Shanto as Bangladesh reached 167 for four in 30 overs. 

Litton (7 off 9) gave a return catch to the off-spinner while Shanto (67 off 86) was caught by Cooper Connolly off the bowling of Renshaw as Bangladesh lost a bit of momentum heading into the business end of the innings.  

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Tanzid Hasan Tamim and Najmul Hossain Shanto were scoring at a brisk pace after the early dismissal of Saif Hassan in the first ODI against Australia in Mirpur on Tuesday.

Saif failed again, falling to Nathan Ellis in the second over of the game after scoring just five runs. Marnus Labuschagne took a great catch at slip to remove the right-hander. 

Shanto could have followed suit to if his simple catch was not grassed in slip a couple of overs later.  

Tanzid fell to Ellis after a 44-ball 54 as Shanto neared his half-century. At the fall of his wicket, Bangladesh were 106 for two in 16.3 overs.