Connolly's 149 helps Australia avoid clean-sweep

By Cricketing Country | Posted Posted Jun 14, 2026

A superb 149 from Cooper Connolly helped Australia survive a dramatic collapse and edge Bangladesh by one wicket in a thrilling ODI in Dhaka, although the hosts still claimed the series 2-1.

Chasing 275, Australia looked comfortable thanks to Connolly's maiden ODI century and several key partnerships. However, left-arm pacer Shoriful Islam sparked late drama with a six-wicket haul, reducing Australia from a winning position to needing four runs with one wicket remaining.

Connolly struck 149 off 134 balls, smashing 13 fours and six sixes, including three consecutive maximums off Taskin Ahmed in the 45th over.

But after his dismissal in the penultimate over, Australia still needed four runs. Tailender Adam Zampa eventually hit the winning boundary to seal victory with one wicket in hand.

Earlier, Bangladesh posted 274-5 after half-centuries from Towhid Hridoy, Litton Das and Mosaddek Hossain. Hridoy top-scored with 83, sharing important partnerships with Litton and Mosaddek, while Litton retired hurt due to cramps before returning late in the innings to finish unbeaten on 58. Mosaddek continued his impressive comeback with a brisk 56.

Australia's chase suffered early blows as Shoriful dismissed captain Josh Inglis and Matt Renshaw in the same over.

Connolly, however, steadied the innings alongside Marnus Labuschagne, Cameron Green and Oliver Peake before the dramatic finish unfolded.

Despite falling short in the final ODI, Bangladesh secured a memorable 2-1 series victory over the six-time world champions.