CHATTOGRAM, June 17 — Bangladesh will begin a new chapter in their rapidly growing rivalry with Australia on Wednesday when the two sides meet in the opening match of a three-game Twenty20 International series in Chattogram, with the hosts aiming to build on a historic One-Day International triumph that has lifted confidence throughout the squad.
The match at Bir Shrestha Shahid Flight Lieutenant Motiur Rahman Stadium is scheduled to start at 2:00 p.m. local time.
Bangladesh enter the series with momentum firmly on their side after securing a landmark 2-1 ODI series victory over Australia, the first time they have won an ODI series against the five-time world champions. The achievement represented another milestone for a team that has steadily improved its record against major cricketing nations over the past decade.
Although Australia salvaged pride with a one-wicket victory in the third ODI, Bangladesh controlled large stretches of the series and demonstrated a level of consistency that has encouraged hopes of further success in the T20 format.
Familiar T20 Success Against Australia
Unlike in ODI cricket, Bangladesh have already shown they can challenge Australia in the shortest format.
The two sides have played 11 T20 Internationals, with Bangladesh winning four of those matches. Significantly, all four victories came during the memorable 4-1 series win in Mirpur in 2021, one of the most notable T20 achievements in Bangladesh cricket history.
That series exposed Australia’s difficulties adapting to Bangladesh’s conditions, while highlighting the hosts’ growing confidence in T20 cricket.
Five years later, Bangladesh again see an opportunity to challenge a strong Australian side on home soil.
Liton Banking on Fast Bowlers
Bangladesh captain Liton Das believes one of the team’s biggest strengths heading into the series is its pace-bowling depth.
The hosts have assembled perhaps their most impressive group of fast bowlers in recent years, featuring Taskin Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman, Nahid Rana, Shoriful Islam and emerging quick Abdul Gaffar Saqlain.
Taskin and Mustafizur remain Bangladesh’s most experienced pace options, while Nahid Rana’s ability to generate extreme pace has attracted growing international attention. Shoriful has become a reliable left-arm option, adding variety to the attack.
The bowling unit played a decisive role in the ODI series victory, repeatedly troubling Australia’s batting lineup.
“It is good that the pace bowling is very strong,” Liton said ahead of the series.
“You can play anyone in the best XI. It is a good competition. It is also good for the Bangladesh team that the bench is getting stronger.”
The captain said the ODI success had given the squad significant confidence, even though T20 cricket presents different challenges.
“Not only did we win the series, we played very good cricket in all three matches,” Liton said.
“This is an added bonus. Of course, the format is different, our team is different, their team is also different.”
“One good thing is that most of our players have played in the ODIs. Everyone has confidence. But we have to play very good cricket on a certain day.”
Australia Receive Major Boost
Australia arrive in the T20 series strengthened by the return of regular captain Mitchell Marsh, who missed the ODI campaign because of an ankle injury. His comeback provides the visitors with additional leadership and batting power as they seek to avoid another series defeat.
Marsh’s return is particularly significant given Australia’s ongoing transition in white-ball cricket following several recent squad changes and retirements.
The Australians also enter the series with added intrigue surrounding all-rounder Nikhil Chaudhary, who has earned his maiden call-up to the national side. If selected, the Delhi-born cricketer could become the first Indian-born male player to represent Australia in more than 60 years. Chaudhary’s journey from domestic cricket in India to professional cricket in Australia has attracted considerable attention and represents one of the most unusual stories in international cricket this year.
