Big Picture: Bangladesh aim for 3-0

Bangladesh overcame couple of tight corners to win by five wickets in the second ODI on Thursday. Najmul Hossain Shanto and Soumya Sarkar put together a strong partnership, 86 runs for the second wicket, after they lost Tanzid Hasan in the first over. Later when they lost five wickets, Tawhid Hridoy and Mehidy Hasan Miraz calmly took them home with 38 runs remaining in the 192-run target.

Taskin Ahmed also made an important contribution towards the end of the Australia innings, when he took two wickets off consecutive deliveries. It helped reduced Bangladesh’s target to 192 when the rain interrupted play at 2.35pm; if Australia were six down, Bangladesh would have needed 220 runs to win.

Bangladesh would also be buoyed by the start they had with the ball, when Australia were reduced to 0 for 3 in the second over. It was only the fourth time in ODI history that a batting side had lost three wickets for no runs. Mustafizur Rahman, who took three wickets in the first powerplay, was adjudged player-of-the-match, as he continues to have a purple patch in 2026.

What has happened to Australia, meanwhile, is a question on everyone’s lips. Their top-order batting hasn’t lasted for long enough to pass a judgment on their form. The middle-order has also been underwhelming; they moved Marnus Labuschagne to No. 7 in the previous game, where he finally made a half-century after 14 innings. Xavier Bartlett helped out with the bat in the second game too, reaching his maiden half-century.

Australia’s bowling too hasn’t been too effective. Bartlett and Nathan Ellis has threatened with the new ball but Bangladesh’s counter-attacking style has got them out of trouble twice.

A 3-0 series win will be marked as an iconic moment in Bangladesh cricket, mainly because of how the team is reviving itself after couple of years of poor performances. It will also be hailed as the win is achieved on a sporting wicket. As Taskin said after the second ODI, they are no longer playing on a “paddy field”.

Form guide

Bangladesh WWWWL (last five completed matches, most recent first)
Australia LLLWL

In the spotlight: Taskin Ahmed and Xavier Bartlett

Bangladesh are getting the full service from Taskin Ahmed as he is utilizing both the new and old ball in the ODI series against Australia. Taskin has had Matthew Short’s number in the first over of both matches, as he has used the seam movement available due to the 11am start. He has also come back well with the old ball, which he puts down to the long spells with the old red ball in the Test series against Pakistan. After the second game, Taskin said that he expects a perfect finish in the third ODI.

Xavier Bartlett grabbed his opportunity with both hands in the second ODI, after he scored a half-century with Australia’s ship sinking at 81 for six. Bartlett reached his fifty off 44 balls, striking the ball cleanly against both pace and spin. The lack of footwork may be an issue but there wasn’t a lot expected out of his batting at No. 8. Later, he came out blazing with the new ball, troubling the Bangladesh batters. Australia would expect a similar showing from him to salvage the third ODI.

Team news: A chance for the benchwarmers?

Mehidy Hasan Miraz’s concussion could allow Rishad Hossain to return to the playing XI, while Nurul Hasan is likely to play as a batter. Shoriful could replace one of the rested quicks.

Bangladesh (probable): 1 Tanzid Hasan, 2 Saif Hassan, 3 Najmul Hossain Shanto, 4 Tawhid Hridoy, 5 Litton Das (wk), 6 Mosaddek Hossain, 7 Nurul Hasan, 8 Rishad Hossain, 9 Taskin Ahmed, 10 Mustafizur Rahman, 11 Nahid Rana/Shoriful Islam

Wholesale changes are not Australia’s style but lack of performers could bring some changes in personnel.

Australia (probable): 1 Matt Short, 2 Cooper Connolly, 3 Josh Inglis (capt & wk), 4 Matt Renshaw, 5 Alex Carey, 6 Cameron Green, 7 Marnus Labuschagne, 8 Xavier Bartlett, 9 Nathan Ellis, 10 Riley Meredith, 11 Adam Zampa

Pitch and conditions: More rain on Sunday

Both pitches used during the ODI series have allowed batters and bowlers to thrive once they have figured out the bounce and pace. Weather however remains the only concern as there’s more rain in the forecast during match time on Sunday.

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