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Nahid Rana. The Tigers showed they were ready to compete with cricket’s big guns on cricketing terms, unlike the 4-1 T20I series win in 2021 over a depleted Australia on slow and low tracks. This time, Bangladesh reversed the template from spin to pace. They were on Australia’s throat on wickets where Australia thrive -- sporting and quick.

After Mosaddek Hossain’s unbeaten 86 -- almost four years since his last ODI appearance -- saw Bangladesh post 284 for four, Taskin Ahmed’s very first delivery set Bangladesh on course for a dominating win. A length delivery beat Matthew Short all ends up, seaming in to disturb the stumps. In the next over, Mustafizur Rahman trapped Marnus Labuschagne on the pads with an in-swinger to leave Australia at two for two.

From then on, it was the Rana pace show. Wind on his back, the crowd roaring as he zoomed in for every delivery, the lanky pacer produced a terrifying performance fit for the world’s best. Aussie skipper Josh Inglis had been handling the quick well, crunching a back-foot glide past point. It only fired Rana up.

Then in the 11th over, Rana produced another of those high-voltage deliveries, a 147.9 kph length ball. Inglis did not move his feet as he prodded at the ball and was caught behind. Rana released his pent-up energy, hurling a few choice words at Inglis, an incident that will no doubt spice up the rest of the series.

In between the chin-and-ear music that Australia batters faced, Rana picked up Alex Carey (47), Liam Scott and Xavier Bartlett -- the latter out off a 148.5 kph short ball into the ribs -- to finish with four for 41, the best figures by a Bangladesh bowler against Australia in ODIs.

Mosaddek himself was out there doing everything, picking up two crucial wickets alongside some brilliant catching. Lightning saw the match stopped with Australia at 191 for nine in 42.2 overs before Bangladesh were awarded the win via the DLS method.

Earlier, the hosts lost Saif Hassan early in overcast conditions after being sent to bat with Australia’s quicks on the ascendency. Opener Tanzid Tamim and Najmul Hossain Shanto, however, wrested control back quickly, unleashing some tremendous strokes during a 96-run partnership off 91 deliveries. Australia’s fielding also let them down on a few occasions, including Labuschagne missing a regulation catch at slips which gave Shanto a reprieve.

Tanzid’s departure after a 44-ball 54 caused a mini collapse, with Shanto (67) and Litton Das (seven) departing soon after. From then on, Mosaddek took charge of the innings, paving the way for the win.

The win ends a 21-year wait. Mohammad Ashraful had been the architect in Cardiff in 2005, a victory that remained Bangladesh’s only ODI triumph over the six-time world champions until yesterday’s 23rd encounter between the sides. This time, a pace demon in Rana and a resurgent Mosaddek have put the Tigers on course for a historic series win.