Bangladesh will have an opportunity to script history when they take on Australia in the second ODI of the three-match series at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium today (Thursday).
The match is scheduled to begin at 11 AM local time, with the hosts aiming to seal the series after securing an emphatic 86-run victory via the DLS method in the opening encounter.
A victory on Thursday would hand Bangladesh their first-ever bilateral ODI series win against Australia, adding another landmark achievement to the country's cricket history.
Bangladesh's triumph in the first ODI was itself historic, ending a 21-year wait for an ODI victory over Australia since their famous win at Cardiff in 2005. Another success would secure an unprecedented series victory and spark nationwide celebrations.
"We have a very good chance to win this series. If we stay committed to our process, it is definitely possible. We all have to believe in that," said all-rounder Mosaddek Hossain, who played a decisive role in the opening match.
Returning to international cricket after a four-year hiatus, Mosaddek produced a superb all-round display. He smashed a career-best 86 not out from 70 deliveries to guide Bangladesh to a competitive total before claiming 2-37 with the ball.
Bangladesh's pace sensation Nahid Rana then dismantled the Australian batting line-up with a fiery spell of 4-41, using his pace and bounce to leave the visitors struggling at 191-9. With Australia requiring an unlikely 94 runs from the final 46 deliveries, rain and lightning forced an early end to the match, handing Bangladesh victory under the DLS method.
Despite the defeat, Australian wicketkeeper-batter Alex Carey believes his side will be better equipped to face Nahid in the remaining matches.
"He bowled really well. I think we all knew the pace, but until you face it firsthand, you realise he's a really tall athlete who gets extra bounce as well," Carey said.
"We've now got the chance to play against him in the next two ODIs, and hopefully we can keep him out of the series from now on."
Carey added that Australia's batters had gained valuable experience from facing Bangladesh's bowling attack and expected an improved response in the second ODI.
"Nahid was a standout with extra pace and bounce on a wicket that suited those qualities. Our batters have now had a look at their pace attack and spinners, and hopefully we can respond better," he said.
With momentum firmly on their side, Bangladesh now stand just one victory away from achieving a historic ODI series triumph over Australia.
Bangladesh are highly likely to retain the same XI for a series-clinching victory but there is possibility that Australia cane tinker with the playing XI ahead of the 'do or die' game for them.
Squads:
Bangladesh: Mehidy Hasan Miraz (Captain), Soumya Sarkar, Saif Hassan, Tanzid Hasan Tamim, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Towhid Hridoy, Liton Das, Musaddek Hossain Saikat, Nurul Hasan Sohan, Rishad Hossain, Tanvir Islam, Mustafizur Rahman, Taskin Ahmed, Shoriful Islam, Nahid Rana.
Australia: Josh Inglis, Oliver Peake, Cooper Connolly, Liam Scott, Tanveer Sangha, Nathan Ellis, Matthew Kuhnemann, Ben Dwarshuis, Xavier Bartlett, Cameron Green, Travis Head, Riley Meredith, Matthew Short, Adam Zampa, Billy Stanlake, Alex Carey, Matt Renshaw, Mitchell Marsh and Marnus Labuschagne. "BSS
