Shoriful's six-fer heroics not enough as Connolly masterclass breaks Bangladesh heart

Australia avoided a whitewash with a one-wicket thriller in
the third and final ODI at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Mirpur
today (14 June), but Bangladesh had already made history – claiming their
first-ever ODI series victory over Australia with an unassailable 2-0 lead
heading into the match.
Bangladesh, batting first after
winning the toss, posted 274-5 in 50 overs. Towhid Hridoy top-scored with a
fluent 83 off 88 balls, while Mosaddek Hossain continued his fine series form
with an unbeaten 56 off 51.
Litton Das anchored the innings
with 58 not out. The innings was hampered by 29 extras, including 18 wides.
In reply, Australia were steered to victory largely by
Cooper Connolly, who played a magnificent 149 off 134 balls – his knock
including 13 fours and six sixes – before falling in the 49th over with
Australia on the brink.
With two runs needed off four balls
and only last man Riley Meredith at the crease alongside Adam Zampa, Australia
scrambled over the line to win by one wicket.
Shoriful Islam was outstanding with
the ball, claiming 6-48 in 10 overs – one of the finest ODI bowling
performances by a Bangladesh pacer – but it was not enough to secure a clean
sweep.
Bangladesh nonetheless end the
series as deserving winners, having beaten Australia for only the second and
third times in ODI history in the space of one week.
















