Mosaddek, Nahid Rana star as Bangladesh end 21-year wait with crushing win

For a long time, Cardiff 2005 represented the high-water mark of Bangladesh cricket. There have been several memorable moments since, especially in the 50-over format, but it remained the team's only victory in the format against the six-time champions up until now. Australia arrived in Bangladesh without several first-choice players, but that context barely registered by the end. Bangladesh were simply better, in every department that mattered, as they swept past Australia by 86 runs (DLS method) in the opening game of the series at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Dhaka. The outcome was markedly influenced by two men. Mosaddek Hossain, back after a four-year absence, crafted an unbeaten 86 - his highest in the format - to power Bangladesh to 284 for 8. After Taskin Ahmed and Mustafizur Rahman had already struck first, Nahid Rana destroyed the Australian chase by going 4 for 41 in a fiery burst, leaving the visitors at 2 for 2. Mosaddek returned to finish off his all-round day with 2 for 37 from 10 overs, underlining his all-round value to the side that had been discussed by Mehidy Hasan Miraz on the eve of the clash. Australia were off the boil throughout, dropping four catches - three of them reprieving Mosaddek - and their ground fielding was equally shoddy. About the only thing they got right on the day was at the toss when Josh Inglis called right and chose to chase. The Bangladesh innings began brightly despite Nathan Ellis dismissing Saif Hassan cheaply. Tanzid Hasan punished the new ball through square and straight, whipped Cameron Green over midwicket for a six during the Powerplay, and reached fifty off 41 balls before Ellis ended his innings at 54. Najmul Hossain Shanto was equally aggressive, charging the seamers repeatedly and going after debutant Liam Scott. He chipped part-timer Matt Renshaw to long-off for a steady 67, and Litton Das was caught and bowled for 7 by Renshaw. Mosaddek walked in freshly confident from a productive DPL campaign with Abahani, and it showed. He started slowly but picked up speed in the second half of his innings, which included two reverse hits and a massive six-run home run off Zampa in the 44th over. He stitched a 75-run fifth-wicket stand with Towhid Hridoy and added another 45 with Taskin, taking Bangladesh past the 280 mark. Australia's reply lasted barely a delivery before it began to unravel. Taskin's first ball was a nip-backer that snaked through Matthew Short's defences. At the other end, Mustafizur trapped Marnus Labuschagne in front to leave Australia 2 for 2. Bangladesh almost had a third, but Tanzid Hasan Tamim shelled a regulation chance at slip off Mustafizur, a rare lapse in an otherwise clinical performance. Cooper Connolly survived that chance to build steadily alongside Inglis, before Rana's extra bounce forced the captain into an awkward prod and edge behind to the 'keeper. Another 40-run stand with Alex Carey followed, before a skidding Mosaddek delivery did Connolly for his stumps. Rana then had Carey caught behind for 47, and Mosaddek removed Renshaw to leave the lower order exposed. Rana also added Liam Scott and Xavier Bartlett to his tally but a five-wicket haul just eluded him as Australia survived his final overs. Cameron Green won the fight alone, scoring his fourth fifty in an ODI. He was only reducing the margin of defeat, though, and he never threatened the outcome. In the end, Bangladesh prevailed over Australia for the second time, becoming famous for it. However, the victory was confirmed while Bangladesh was off the field, as lightning and rain prevented a proper finish to the match. However, this did not diminish their achievement in any way.