Bangladesh were bowled out for 172 in the third and final one-day international against Australia in Brisbane, leaving themselves with a difficult task as they attempted to avoid a series whitewash. Half-centuries from Sharmin Akhter and Sworna Akhter helped the visitors recover from an early batting collapse, but their efforts were not enough to produce a substantial total.
The innings also marked a disappointing return to the crease for Sobhana Mostary, who had made history at the same venue in the previous match. The Bangladesh batter became the first woman from her country to score an ODI century against Australia, producing an impressive 118-run innings in the second match. However, she managed only nine runs in the third encounter, falling as Bangladesh’s fourth batter.
Bangladesh’s problems began almost immediately after they were put in to bat. The visitors lost three wickets for just 18 runs, suffering an early setback that put considerable pressure on the middle order.
Openers Murshida Khatun and Sharmin Sultana departed for one and six respectively, before captain Nigar Sultana Joty was dismissed for just three. With the top order struggling, the responsibility fell on Sharmin Akhter and Mostary to stabilise the innings and rebuild the team’s momentum.
Expectations were particularly high for Mostary following her record-breaking performance in the previous game. Yet she could not reproduce that form, departing for nine as Bangladesh slipped to 45 for four. The early losses left the visitors in a precarious position and raised the prospect of a considerably lower total.
Sharmin Akhter and Sworna Akhter then mounted a determined recovery. The pair combined for a fifth-wicket partnership of 54 runs, providing Bangladesh with some much-needed stability after the top-order collapse.
Sharmin reached 50 before her dismissal brought the partnership to an end. Her innings was important in preventing the Australian bowlers from completely dominating proceedings and gave Bangladesh a platform from which to attempt a stronger recovery.
Sworna continued the fight after her partner’s departure, scoring a team-high 54. However, wickets continued to fall at regular intervals at the other end, preventing Bangladesh from building further substantial partnerships. Despite the setbacks, Sworna’s contribution helped the visitors reach 172 before the innings ended.
Apart from Sharmin and Sworna, Rabeya Khan and Disha Biswas were the only other Bangladesh batters to reach double figures. Both scored 13, with Disha remaining unbeaten.
Australia’s Megan Schutt was the outstanding bowler, claiming four wickets for just 16 runs. Her economical spell played a significant role in dismantling Bangladesh’s batting line-up and restricting the visitors to a modest total.
For Bangladesh, the contrast between the two innings from Mostary was particularly striking. Her 118 in the previous match had demonstrated the team’s potential against a formidable Australian side, but the early dismissals in the final ODI exposed the difficulties the visitors faced in maintaining consistency.
Sharmin and Sworna provided the resistance Bangladesh needed, yet the lack of contributions from the rest of the batting order ultimately limited the team’s total. Losing three wickets inside the opening 18 runs and reaching 45 for four left the visitors with too much ground to make up.
With 173 runs required for victory, Bangladesh’s bowlers faced a demanding task against Australia’s batting line-up. They needed early breakthroughs and sustained pressure to defend the total and give their side a chance of avoiding a clean sweep. The contest also represented an opportunity for Bangladesh to finish the series with a victory after a difficult batting display in Brisbane.
