(Sports Correspondent: Imran Sohail)
Australia Set Rare ODI Record After Four Consecutive Scoreless Opening Partnerships
Australia’s ODI team has recorded an unusual and unwanted milestone after registering four consecutive opening partnerships without scoring a run.
The latest instance occurred in the second ODI against Bangladesh in Dhaka, where Matthew Short was dismissed for a four-ball duck by Taskin Ahmed. The early wicket left Australia at 0–1 and completed a rare sequence of scoreless opening stands across their last four ODIs.
This run of setbacks began during the second ODI against Pakistan in Lahore, when Alex Carey was dismissed on the first ball by Shaheen Shah Afridi. Although Australia recovered to post 231–9 and win that match, the opening partnership again ended without a run.
The pattern continued in the third ODI of the same series, where Matthew Short was dismissed early once again, leaving Australia 0–1. Pakistan went on to win that match, bowling Australia out for 157 to secure the series 2–1.
Australia’s struggles carried into the Bangladesh series. In the first ODI in Dhaka, Short was dismissed on the very first delivery of the innings. Bangladesh won that match by 86 runs (DLS method), marking a rare victory over Australia.
The fourth consecutive scoreless opening stand came in the second ODI against Bangladesh, where Taskin Ahmed struck again early in the innings. Australia’s top order collapsed further as additional wickets fell quickly, putting pressure on an unsettled batting lineup.
Australia has been without several key players in recent matches, including Mitchell Marsh and Travis Head, while Josh Inglis has been leading the side in Marsh’s absence.
The team’s recent ODI form has been inconsistent, with defeats against Pakistan followed by a difficult start to the Bangladesh series. The repeated failures at the top order highlight ongoing concerns about their opening combination in limited-overs cricket.
