Australia suffer first ODI loss to Bangladesh in 21 years as Rana and Mosaddek shine
Australia’s 21-year unbeaten ODI record against Bangladesh came to an end on Tuesday as the Tigers secured a decisive victory at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium in Chattogram, according to ESPNcricinfo. The defeat marks the first time Australia have lost an ODI to Bangladesh since 2003, ending a streak that included 12 consecutive wins.
How did Bangladesh accomplish the feat?
Bangladesh’s victory was anchored by opener Najmul Hossain Shanto, who scored 73 off 83 balls, and Mehidy Hasan Miraz, who took three wickets to restrict Australia to 245/7. The Tigers then chased down the target with six wickets in hand, thanks to a 92-run partnership between Mahmudullah Riyad and Mosaddek Hossain, as reported by The Guardian.
The win followed a strategic shift in Bangladesh’s approach, with captain Shakib Al Hasan opting to bowl first after winning the toss. Australia’s top order struggled against the spin duo of Mosaddek and Mehidy, who took three wickets in the Powerplay, according to cricket.com.au.
Why did Australia struggle?
Australia’s batting line-up faltered under pressure, with key players like Marnus Labuschagne (22) and Steve Smith (19) falling early. The middle order failed to build momentum, as Bangladesh’s spinners maintained tight lines and lengths throughout the innings, according to Fox Sports.
The loss also came amid personnel changes, with veteran all-rounder Glenn Maxwell and fast bowler Josh Hazlewood omitted from the squad. Their absence was felt as Australia lacked the firepower to counter Bangladesh’s spin attack, as noted by ESPNS.
What happens next for both teams?
Bangladesh will aim to capitalize on their historic win in the second ODI, which is set to take place on Thursday. The Tigers have not won a series against Australia in 13 years, but their performance in Chattogram suggests they are closing the gap, according to The Guardian.
Australia’s coaching staff has faced scrutiny over the decision to exclude high-profile players, with captain Aaron Finch criticizing the “firey send-off” given to players who were left out, as reported by Fox Sports. The team will look to regroup ahead of the T20 series, which begins later this month.
How does this compare to previous encounters?
Bangladesh’s win breaks a long-standing dominance by Australia, which had won 12 of their 13 meetings since 2003. The last time Bangladesh defeated Australia in an ODI was in 2003, when they secured a 12-run victory in Adelaide, according to ESPNcricinfo.
The result also highlights Bangladesh’s progress as a cricketing nation, with their 2023 ODI victory over India and 2022 T20 World Cup quarterfinal run signaling a shift in the balance of power in South Asian cricket, as noted by cricket.com.au.