CricPage Editorial

Bangladesh Win Maiden ODI Series 2-1 vs Australia, But Connolly's 149 Steals Final Match in Thriller

Bangladesh have completed a maiden ODI series win over Australia, sealing a 2-1 result after stunning wins in Dhaka. But the final ODI belonged to Cooper Connolly, whose maiden international century of 149 dragged Australia to a one-wicket consolation win and denied Bangladesh a historic 3-0 sweep.

AB Ankit
Editor
June 14, 2026

Image: Cooper Connolly celebrates his maiden international century during the 3rd ODI in Dhaka

Bangladesh's Historic ODI Series Win Over Australia: How Did It Happen?

Bangladesh’s white-ball revolution reached a new peak as they beat Australia in a bilateral ODI series for the first time ever, having won the first two matches of the three-match series at the Shere Bangla National Stadium, Dhaka, before Australia salvaged pride in the third ODI on June 14, 2026.

Half-centuries from Towhid Hridoy, Litton Das and Mosaddek Hossain, alongside disciplined bowling from Nahid Rana, Taskin Ahmed and Mustafizur Rahman, were the foundation of Bangladesh’s series-defining wins in the 1st and 2nd ODIs.

Series Result: Bangladesh Beat Australia 2-1 in Maiden ODI Series Triumph

In the 1st ODI on June 9, Bangladesh posted 284 for 8, with Mosaddek Hossain’s unbeaten 86 off 70 balls and Najmul Hossain Shanto’s 67 setting up a competitive total. Australia were bowled out for 191 in 42.2 overs, with Nahid Rana’s career-best 4 for 41 and Mosaddek’s 2 for 37 sealing an 86-run win for Bangladesh via the DLS method, their first ODI win over Australia since the famous 2005 Cardiff Miracle.

The 2nd ODI on June 11 saw Bangladesh complete an extraordinary turnaround. After Australia were reduced to 0 for 3 inside the powerplay, a recovery from Marnus Labuschagne (55*) and Xavier Bartlett (52) lifted them to 187 for 8. Bangladesh chased down a rain-adjusted target of 192 with five wickets in hand, with half-centuries from Soumya Sarkar (42), Shanto (42) and Hridoy (40*) sealing the win and the series, 2-0, with one match to spare.

BAN vs AUS ODI Series 2026: Full Results

BAN vs AUS 2026 ODI Series — Final Results (2-1 to Bangladesh)
No.	Date	Venue	Result
1st ODI	June 9, 2026	Shere Bangla Stadium, Dhaka	Bangladesh won by 86 runs (DLS)
2nd ODI	June 11, 2026	Shere Bangla Stadium, Dhaka	Bangladesh won by 5 wickets
3rd ODI	June 14, 2026	Shere Bangla Stadium, Dhaka	Australia won by 1 wicket

Cooper Connolly: A Lone Warrior's 149 in Defeat

With the series already lost, Australia were under no pressure when they batted first and posted 274 for 5 in 50 overs in the 3rd ODI on June 14, built around fifties from Litton Das, Mosaddek Hossain and a top score of 83 from Towhid Hridoy. Chasing 275, Australia slipped to 4 for 134 after losing Marnus Labuschagne to a stunning catch. That is when Cooper Connolly, already well-set on 71, took over.

Connolly's Innings Snapshot (3rd ODI)

Balls Faced

134

Fours

Sixes

Strike Rate

111.19

Milestone

Maiden international century, highest ODI score

Once Connolly fell, Australia’s last pair of Adam Zampa and Riley Meredith had to see off the final over, with Zampa striking the winning boundary to complete a nervy one-wicket win and avoid a 3-0 series sweep.

The BAN vs AUS ODI series 2026 marks an important step for both sides on the road to the ICC Cricket World Cup 2027. A maiden series win for Bangladesh, despite a brave individual fightback from Australia in the final match, sets the tone for how these two sides may be viewed heading into the tournament.

Why Australia Were Without Their Big Guns

Australia’s series defeat cannot be separated from who was missing. Regular openers Mitchell Marsh (ankle injury) and Travis Head (personal leave) were absent for the entire tour, while spinner Tanveer Sangha was ruled out with a hamstring issue. None of Australia’s first-choice pace trio of Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood travelled, with all three rested for workload management ahead of a packed Test calendar.

Mosaddek Hossain — Bangladesh's Comeback Hero (1st ODI)

Balls Faced

Fours

Sixes

Strike Rate

122.85

Comeback

First match back after 4 years, career-best 86*

That left a young, experimental Australia squad led by Josh Inglis to face a confident Bangladesh side at home. Connolly himself acknowledged the gap left by senior players after his match-winning innings, saying it was satisfying to get an opportunity at the top of the order with Head and Marsh unavailable, and to make the most of it.

Mosaddek Hossain's Emotional Comeback Steals the Spotlight

Recalled to Bangladesh’s ODI squad after nearly four years out of the side, Mosaddek Hossain produced one of the most emotional comeback stories of the series. His unbeaten 86 off 70 balls in the 1st ODI, complete with 6 fours and 2 sixes, anchored Bangladesh’s innings to 284 for 8 and set the tone for the entire series.

Mosaddek backed up his batting with the ball too, taking 2 for 37 in the same match and chipping in with two wickets in the 2nd ODI as well, finishing as one of Bangladesh’s standout all-round performers across the series. For a player written off by many after years out of the side, this series marked a remarkable second wind to his international career.

His story also reflects a broader theme of this series — Bangladesh’s depth and squad culture under Mehidy Hasan Miraz’s captaincy, where experienced campaigners returning to the side were backed with responsibility and delivered when it mattered most.

5 Biggest Talking Points From the BAN vs AUS ODI Series

1. Bangladesh's Historic First-Ever ODI Series Win Over Australia

For the first time in their cricketing history, Bangladesh have won a bilateral ODI series against Australia. Their only previous ODI win over the Australians came in the 2005 Cardiff Miracle, a single-match shock that announced a young Mohammad Ashraful to the world. This time, Bangladesh backed up that pedigree with two clinical wins at home, built on all-round contributions from their batting middle order and a fast-bowling unit led by Nahid Rana and Taskin Ahmed.

2. Australia's Injury-Hit Squad Changed Everything

Australia arrived in Bangladesh missing three frontline players and resting their entire first-choice pace attack. Mitchell Marsh’s ankle injury, Travis Head’s personal leave and Tanveer Sangha’s hamstring issue forced Cricket Australia into a heavy rotation policy, with Todd Murphy earning an ODI debut and Ollie Peake and Matt Short given extended opportunities. The result was a callow batting order that struggled against Bangladesh’s seamers in the first two matches, with Australia reduced to 0 for 3 in the 2nd ODI for the first time in men’s ODI history.

3. Connolly's Maiden International Century Saves Australia From a Whitewash

Cooper Connolly’s 149 off 134 balls, laced with 13 fours and 6 sixes at a strike rate of 111.19, was the highest score of his international career and arrived at the perfect time for Australia. After Australia slipped to 4 for 134 chasing 275, Connolly anchored the innings, farming the strike through a dramatic late collapse before being bowled by Mustafizur Rahman for 149 in the penultimate over. Notably, Connolly chose not to take a single that would have brought up his 150 in order to protect his tailenders, a decision widely praised by commentators as a mark of maturity beyond his years.

4. Shoriful Islam's Career-Best 6-48 in a Losing Cause

Shoriful Islam, recalled in place of Nahid Rana for the 3rd ODI, produced a career-best 6 for 48, including the wickets of Josh Inglis, Matt Renshaw, Xavier Bartlett and Ben Dwarshuis in a dramatic final-overs spell that brought Australia’s last pair to the crease needing just a handful of runs. Despite his heroics, Adam Zampa hit the boundary required off the final over to seal Australia’s one-wicket win and avoid a 3-0 series sweep.

5. What This Means for Both Teams Ahead of ICC CWC 2027

For Bangladesh, this series is a statement of intent. A maiden series win over Australia, built on all-round contributions across both batting and bowling departments, will give Mehidy Hasan Miraz’s side genuine belief heading into the ICC Cricket World Cup 2027 cycle. For Australia, the result is a reality check. With senior players Cummins, Starc, Hazlewood, Marsh and Head all missing, the gulf between Australia’s first-choice XI and their depth options was exposed — even a maiden Connolly century could only salvage a consolation win. Expect Cricket Australia to reassess their rotation strategy before the World Cup year begins in earnest.

BAN vs AUS ODI Head-to-Head: Complete Record

ODI Head-to-Head Record (Updated After 3rd ODI)

Australia ODI wins

Bangladesh ODI wins

No Result

Series status

Bangladesh won the 2026 series 2-1, their maiden bilateral ODI series win over Australia. Overall, Australia lead the all-time ODI head-to-head 20-3, with 1 no result.

Bangladesh’s 2-1 series win significantly improves their overall ODI head-to-head record against Australia, though Australia still hold a dominant lead across the full history of the rivalry dating back to 1990. This series marks only the second time Bangladesh have ever beaten Australia in an ODI, and the first time they have won a bilateral series against them.

Series Snapshot: Match-by-Match Summary

1st ODI — A Famous First Win

Bangladesh 284/8 (Mosaddek 86*, Shanto 67) beat Australia 191/9 (Rana 4-41, Mosaddek 2-37) by 86 runs (DLS method) — Bangladesh’s first ODI win over Australia since 2005.

2nd ODI — Bangladesh Seal the Series

Australia 187/8 (Labuschagne 55*, Bartlett 52, Mustafizur 3-27, Taskin 3-33) lost to Bangladesh 195/5 (Soumya 42, Shanto 42, Hridoy 40*) by 5 wickets — Bangladesh sealed a maiden series win with a match to spare.

3rd ODI — Connolly's Consolation Heist

Bangladesh 274/5 (Hridoy 83, Das & Mosaddek fifties) vs Australia 275/9 (Connolly 149, Shoriful Islam 6-48) — Australia won by 1 wicket in a last-over thriller, avoiding a 3-0 sweep.

What This Series Means for ICC Cricket World Cup 2027

For Bangladesh: A Genuine Top-8 Threat

Bangladesh’s maiden ODI series win over Australia is not just a historic scalp — it is proof of concept. With a batting order capable of chasing under pressure, a pace attack led by Nahid Rana, Taskin Ahmed and Mustafizur Rahman troubling top-order batters consistently, and senior players like Mosaddek Hossain delivering when recalled, Bangladesh head into the ICC Cricket World Cup 2027 cycle as a side capable of upsetting any top team on their day, particularly in home and subcontinent conditions.

For Australia: Squad Depth Questions Before the World Cup Year

Australia’s tour of Bangladesh was always going to be a development opportunity, with Mitchell Marsh, Travis Head, Tanveer Sangha, Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood all missing. The series loss exposes how reliant Australia remain on their senior core — even Cooper Connolly’s maiden century in the 3rd ODI could only salvage a consolation win. With the World Cup year approaching, Cricket Australia will need their first-choice players back and firing well before facing the subcontinent’s best sides on similar surfaces.

Connolly's Emergence: A Silver Lining for Australia

If there is one takeaway Australia can build on, it is Cooper Connolly’s emergence as a genuine top-order option. His maiden international century, scored under pressure while batting alongside the tail, suggests he could be part of Australia’s solutions at the top of the order heading into 2027, alongside Marsh and Head once they return to full fitness.

Final Verdict: A Landmark Series for Bangladesh, A Wake-Up Call for Australia

This series will be remembered as a landmark moment for Bangladesh cricket. A maiden bilateral ODI series win over Australia, achieved with contributions across the batting order and a fast-bowling attack that troubled Australia’s batters throughout, is exactly the kind of result Mehidy Hasan Miraz’s side needed heading into the ICC Cricket World Cup 2027 cycle.

For Australia, Cooper Connolly’s 149 offers a genuine positive amid a difficult tour, but the bigger story is the gap exposed by the absence of Marsh, Head, Cummins, Starc, Hazlewood and Sangha. With the World Cup year approaching, Cricket Australia face serious questions about squad depth and rotation policy — even as exciting young talents like Connolly stake their claim for a long-term role at the top of the order.

FAQ: BAN vs AUS ODI Series 2026

Has Bangladesh ever beaten Australia in an ODI series before?

No. This is the first time Bangladesh have won a bilateral ODI series against Australia. Their only previous ODI win over Australia came in a single match — the famous 2005 ‘Cardiff Miracle’.

What was the final result of the BAN vs AUS ODI series 2026?

Bangladesh won the three-match ODI series 2-1. They won the 1st ODI by 86 runs and the 2nd ODI by 5 wickets to seal the series, before Australia won the 3rd ODI by 1 wicket.

Why was Australia's squad weakened for this series?

Australia were without regular openers Mitchell Marsh (ankle injury) and Travis Head (personal leave), while spinner Tanveer Sangha missed the tour with a hamstring issue. Their entire first-choice pace attack of Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood was also rested for workload management.

How many runs did Cooper Connolly score in the 3rd ODI?

Cooper Connolly scored 149 off 134 balls with 13 fours and 6 sixes, his maiden international century, in Australia’s 1-wicket win in the 3rd ODI.

Who was the player of the series for Bangladesh?

Bangladesh’s series win was built on collective contributions, with half-centuries from Towhid Hridoy, Litton Das, Najmul Hossain Shanto and Mosaddek Hossain, alongside standout bowling performances from Nahid Rana, Taskin Ahmed and Mustafizur Rahman.

What were Shoriful Islam's figures in the 3rd ODI?

Shoriful Islam returned a career-best 6 for 48 in the 3rd ODI, his best ODI bowling figures, but it was not enough to prevent Australia’s one-wicket win.

Why did Connolly not take a single to reach 150?

With Australia’s last pair at the crease and needing just a few runs to win, Cooper Connolly chose not to take a single that would have brought up his 150 in order to keep the strike and protect his tailender, a decision widely praised as mature beyond his years.

How does this series impact ICC Cricket World Cup 2027 preparations?

For Bangladesh, the series win is a major confidence boost heading into the World Cup cycle. For Australia, it exposed a significant gap between their first-choice XI and depth options, prompting questions over their rotation strategy ahead of the 2027 World Cup.

When did Bangladesh last beat Australia in an ODI before this series?

Before this series, Bangladesh’s only ODI win over Australia came in June 2005 in Cardiff, often referred to as the ‘Cardiff Miracle’, where a young Mohammad Ashraful’s century announced his arrival on the world stage.

AB Ankit is Editor-in-chief of CricPage.

CricPage Links

Cricket Schedule

Fixtures, series and match times.

Cricket Rankings

Team rankings and standings.