Australia survive Shoriful’s six-wicket onslaught to evade clean sweep

Published : Sunday, 14 June, 2026 at 8:57 PM Count : 18

Bangladesh fans have spent more than two decades waiting for isolated ODI victories against Australia. To secure two wins in a single week and lock down a historic series victory felt entirely surreal.

Yet, on Sunday at Mirpur, the hosts stood on the precipice of an even greater feat: a clean sweep. Australia, however, managed to claw their way out of trouble, escaping with a nerve-shredding one-wicket victory with only three balls left.

Chasing a target of 275, Australia’s chase concluded in high drama.

With 35 runs needed off the final 42 deliveries, Cooper Connolly spearheaded the charge alongside young Oliver Peake. Even when Shoriful Islam returned to trigger a late collapse, Australia’s lower order kept their composure.

In the final over, tasked with defending just three runs, Taskin Ahmed bowled a wide fuller delivery outside off stump. Adam Zampa met it cleanly, driving it through the covers for a boundary to seal a consolation win for the visitors.

The grandstand finish was set up by a bowling masterclass from left-arm seamer Shoriful Islam, who finished with magnificent figures of 6 for 48. Stepping into the side for the rested Nahid Rana, Shoriful tore the heart out of the Australian order.

He struck twice in his opening over, removing Josh Inglis and Matt Renshaw off consecutive deliveries. He later returned to dismiss a well-set Marnus Labuschagne (29), before collecting three more lower-order wickets—including a double-strike in the 46th over to remove Peake and Xavier Bartlett—to claim a memorable six-wicket haul.

Despite Shoriful's heroics, a single over from Taskin Ahmed shifted the momentum back to Australia. In the 45th over, with the visitors needing 30 runs off 36 balls, Connolly launched an extraordinary assault against Taskin, hitting three consecutive sixes over midwicket, fine leg, and the sight screen.

The 21-run over broke the pressure and ultimately cost Bangladesh the match.

Earlier in the day, Bangladesh won the toss and elected to bat, posting a competitive 274 for 5. The innings was built on excellent half-centuries from Towhid Hridoy (83 off 88 balls) and Mosaddek Hossain (56* off 51 balls), who put together a crucial middle-order partnership.

Litton Das also fought through calf cramps to contribute a gritty 58 before retiring hurt.

For Australia, Matt Renshaw was the pick of the regular bowlers with 2 for 7, while Xavier Bartlett and Ben Dwarshuis chipped in with a wicket each to keep the target within reach.

Australia’s response got off to a flyer despite a revamped opening pair. Cooper Connolly and Josh Inglis added 30 runs inside three overs before Shoriful's spectacular introduction reduced them to 38 for 2.

Taskin then removed Alex Carey for 8, courtesy of a brilliant diving catch by Soumya Sarkar, leaving Australia at 71 for 3.

Connolly anchored the remainder of the chase beautifully, registering a magnificent maiden ODI century. He anchored a 53-run stand with Labuschagne and later found an able ally in Peake (27).

Connolly was eventually dragged on by a Mustafizur Rahman cutter for a magnificent 149 off 134 balls, featuring 13 boundaries and 6 sixes. His dismissal left Australia’s tail to navigate a tense final two overs, which Zampa safely negotiated to deny Bangladesh a 3-0 whitewash.

FP/MI