STAFF CORRESPONDENT

Pacers Taskin Ahmed and Mustafizur Rahman starred as Bangladesh secured their first-ever ODI series victory over reigning world champions Australia with a five-wicket (DLS) win in the rain-hit second match at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Mirpur on Thursday.

Having sealed the series with one match to spare, the Tigers will now aim for a clean sweep when the third and final ODI is played at the same venue on Sunday.

With FIFA World Cup fever beginning to build, Bangladesh’s pace attack ensured their achievements were not overlooked, as Taskin and Mustafizur reduced Australia to an unwanted record after the visitors opted to bat first. For the first time in ODI history, Australia lost their first three wickets without a run on the board, setting the tone for Bangladesh’s fifth consecutive home ODI series win.

Bangladesh had previously beaten Australia only once in 22 ODIs, before marking a significant breakthrough against one of world cricket’s traditional powerhouses with back-to-back victories.

After Nahid Rana’s fiery spell dismantled Australia in the opening ODI, Taskin and Mustafizur wasted It

SEE PAGE 10 COL 4