Cooper Connolly 149 helps Australia avoid series whitewash

Cooper Connolly's maiden ODI hundred helped Australia avoid a series whitewash by Bangladesh as they overcame the hosts by one wicket in a nervous finish in the third ODI in Dhaka. Bangladesh recovered from an underwhelming start to post 274 for 5 after choosing to bat, with Towhid Hridoy's 83, Litton Das' patient 58 not out and an unbeaten 56 from Mosaddek Hossain leading the revival. After that, Connolly led Australia's chase with a career-high 149 runs, surviving a late collapse and Shoriful Islam's determined six-wicket haul as the visitors won with three balls to spare. Josh Inglis set the tone with an aggressive 21 off 12 balls as Australia raced to 40 without losing in less than five overs as they sought 275. But Bangladesh hit back immediately through Shoriful Islam, who removed Inglis with a leg-side trap before bowling Matt Renshaw in the same over. Due to a stunning catch by Soumya Sarkar at cover, Taskin Ahmed took Alex Carey's wicket, putting Australia at 71 for 3. Through the collapse, Cooper Connolly remained composed, finding boundaries regularly. As they carefully navigated Bangladesh's spin attack, Connolly and Marnus Labuschagne steadied the chase with a 64-run partnership for the fourth wicket. Connolly continued unfazed despite Shoriful's edge through to substitute keeper Nurul Hasan ending Labuschagne's patient 29. In a 58-run partnership with Connolly, Cameron Green and Mahedi provided helpful support with 27 runs before losing to Mahedi. Connolly struggled with cramps in the heat of Dhaka, but he scored his first ODI century with 87 deliveries. However, Bangladesh refused to surrender without a fight. Shoriful scored five runs in his first ODI when he bowled Xavier Bartlett and Oliver Peake in consecutive deliveries. After bowling Ben Dwarshuis and causing more panic in the chase, Shoriful scored a career-high 6 for 48. As Australia went from 266 for 5 to 271 for 9, Mustafizur Rahman bowled Connolly in the 49th over, adding to the drama. Adam Zampa, however, sent Taskin through the covers with two runs remaining in the final over to prevent Bangladesh from winning the series. Despite a brief counterattack from Tanzid Hasan Tamim, who struck a six and two fours in his 19-ball 20, Bangladesh slipped to 53 for 2 at the conclusion of the batting Powerplay when Matt Renshaw caused a miscue to mid-on. Australia struck first when Xavier Bartlett cheaply removed opener Parvez Hossain Emon. The hosts were in trouble at 62 for 3 in the 15th over when Renshaw bowled Najmul Hossain Shanto for 24. After that, Litton Das and Hridoy partnered carefully to keep the innings on track. Australia's spinners Adam Zampa and Renshaw kept the scoring in check through the middle overs, but the pair rotated strike while punishing loose deliveries. Litton gradually found his rhythm, striking a six and a four off Riley Meredith, even as he battled discomfort in his calf. As Bangladesh reached 190 in the 39th over, Hridoy reached his half-century as his fluency increased. With a 90-run stand by Hridoy and Mosaddek, the momentum changed in the final ten overs. Hridoy struck eight fours in his 88-ball knock before holing out to deep midwicket in the 46th over. Mosaddek reached a 43-ball half-century while Litton, who had briefly retired hurt due to cramp, returned in the closing stages to bring up a fifty off 75 balls. Through Bartlett and Ben Dwarshuis, Australia kept making progress in the closing stages, but Bangladesh's middle order made sure they finished with a score that was competitive.