On a critical Sunday in Mirpur, Bangladesh’s stand-in cricket captain Najmul Hossain Shanto called correctly at the toss, opting to set a batting target for Australia in the decisive third match of their one-day international series, with a landmark series sweep on the line.
The host side enters the match already holding an unassailable 2-0 series lead, a position that has already secured Bangladesh its first-ever ODI series win over Australia across history. Both of Bangladesh’s opening victories came via the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern method, with an opening 86-run win followed by a hard-fought five-wicket triumph in the second fixture.
However, Bangladesh will be without their regular captain Mehidy Hasan for the decider, after the skipper was struck in the head by a bouncer from Australian pace bowler Nathan Ellis during the second match. Speaking after the toss, Shanto reassured fans that Mehidy is in stable condition, but doctors ordered the captain to sit out the final game for continued medical monitoring.
Bangladesh made two further adjustments to their match squad beyond the change of leadership: fast bowler Nahid Rana was rested for the decider, with experienced offspinner Mahedi Hasan brought into the side to replace him.
For Australia, the tour has already been defined by disappointment, and the visitors are now chasing only a consolation win to end the series on a positive note. Head coach and selectors made two key changes to their starting lineup, recalling pace bowler Ben Dwarshuis and all-rounder Oliver Peake to the side. The pair will replace opening batsman Matthew Short and Nathan Ellis, the bowler who injured Mehidy Hasan in the previous match.
Full starting lineups for the contest are as follows:
Bangladesh: Tanzid Hasan, Soumya Sarkar, Najmul Hossain Shanto (captain), Litton Das, Towhid Hridoy, Mahedi Hasan, Mosaddek Hossain, Taskin Ahmed, Tanvir Islam, Mustafizur Rahman, Shoriful Islam.
Australia: Cooper Connolly, Josh Inglis (captain), Matt Renshaw, Marnus Labuschagne, Alex Carey, Cameron Green, Oliver Peake, Xavier Bartlett, Ben Dwarshuis, Adam Zampa, Riley Meredith.