(Sports Correspondent: Imran Sohail)
Connolly Century Guides Australia to Narrow Win Over Bangladesh in Third ODI
Australia secured a dramatic one-wicket victory over Bangladesh in the third and final One Day International in Mirpur on Sunday, despite Bangladesh already having won the series.
Opener Cooper Connolly delivered a standout performance, scoring 149 runs off 134 balls to anchor Australia’s successful chase of 275. His innings featured 13 boundaries and six sixes and proved decisive in a tightly contested finish.
Bangladesh posted a total of 274 for 5 after winning the toss, with Towhid Hridoy scoring 83 and both Litton Das and Mosaddek Hossain contributing unbeaten half-centuries.
In response, Australia made a strong start but lost early wickets, including captain Josh Inglis and Matt Renshaw. The visitors continued to lose wickets at regular intervals, but Connolly held the innings together with key partnerships across the middle order.
Despite a strong bowling performance from Bangladesh, led by Shoriful Islam’s 6 for 48, Australia remained in the chase. Shoriful’s spell included multiple breakthroughs that kept Bangladesh in contention throughout the match.
The game went down to the final overs, with Australia needing a handful of runs and just one wicket remaining. Adam Zampa eventually sealed the victory with a boundary, finishing the match with three balls to spare.
Bangladesh’s bowlers, including Mustafizur Rahman and Taskin Ahmed, also made important contributions, but Australia edged past the target in a tense finish.
Connolly was named Player of the Match for his match-winning century, which helped Australia end the series on a positive note despite losing the opening two games.
