Mosaddek's comeback masterclass, Rana's firepower flatten Australia

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. Until today.

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.

Two men made a telling mark on the result. Mosaddek Hossain, back after a four-year absence, crafted an unbeaten 86 - his highest in the format - to power Bangladesh to 284 for 8. Then Nahid Rana reduced the Australian chase to rubble, taking 4 for 41 in a fiery burst after Taskin Ahmed and Mustafizur Rahman had already drawn first blood, leaving the visitors reeling 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 made a steady 67, chipping part-timer Matt Renshaw to long-off, while Litton Das was caught-and-bowled by Renshaw for 7.

Mosaddek walked in freshly confident from a productive DPL campaign with Abahani, and it showed. He started steady but accelerated through the back half of his innings, that was studded by two reverse hits and a towering six over long-off 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 fought a lone hand, reaching his fourth ODI fifty in the process. But he was only trimming the margin of defeat and never threatening the result. Bangladesh eventually had their second famous win over Australia but the confirmation came while they were off the field as a spell of rain and lightning denied a proper finish to the game. That didn't, however, take away any of the gloss from their achievement.

Bangladesh 284/8 in 50 overs (Mosaddek Hossain 86*, Najmul Hossain Shanto 67, Tanzid Hasan Tamim 54; Nathan Ellis 3-38) beat Australia 191/9 in 42.2 overs (Cameron Green 52*; Nahid Rana 4-41, Mosaddek Hossain 2-37) by 86 runs [DLS Method]