Photo: Collected

DHAKA, June 9, 2026 (BSS)- Allrounder Mosaddek Hossain Saikat made an immediate return to Bangladesh's playing XI after four years as Australia put Bangladesh into bat first in the opening match of the three-match ODI series at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium today.

Apart from Mosaddek's inclusion, Bangladesh almost retained the side that played in their most recent ODI assignment against New Zealand in April. Rishad Hossain, Soumya Sarkar, Shoriful Islam and Nurul Hasan Sohan were left out from the starting XI.

The series marks Australia's first ODI tour of Bangladesh in 15 years. During their previous visit in 2011, Australia completed a 3-0 whitewash over the hosts.

Bangladesh have struggled against Australia in the 50-over format, winning just one of their 22 ODIs. Their lone victory came at Cardiff in 2005, inspired by a memorable century from Mohammad Ashraful, who now serves as Bangladesh's batting coach.

Australia remain the only major cricketing nation against whom Bangladesh have yet to register more than one ODI victory.

Despite the unfavourable record, Bangladesh enter the series with renewed confidence following an impressive run of form at home. Over the past six months, they have secured ODI series victories against West Indies, Pakistan and New Zealand, reinforcing their reputation as a formidable side in home conditions.

The last ODI meeting between the two sides came during the 2023 World Cup when Mitchell Marsh smashed 177 off 132 balls to guide Australia to a successful chase of Bangladesh's 306-run total.

Bangladesh have won three of their last five ODIs, compared to Australia's two victories in the same period. The visitors arrived in Dhaka following a 2-1 ODI series defeat to Pakistan.

Australia are also missing several key players. Marsh and Travis Head, who missed the Pakistan series, were initially expected to feature in Bangladesh but were ruled out shortly before the tour. Marsh continues to recover from an ankle injury, while Head is on personal leave.

Australia handed a debut to South Australian allrounder Liam Scott as they are searching for a suitable squad ahead of the 2027 ODI World Cup, according to stand-in captain Josh Inglis.

Line Ups: 

Bangladesh: Tanzid Hasan Tamim, Saif Hassan, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Tawhid Hridoy, Litton Das (wk), Mosaddek Hossain, Mehidy Hasan Miraz (capt), Taskin Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman, Nahid Rana, Tanvir Islam

Australia: Matthew Short, Cooper Connolly, Josh Inglis (capt/wk), Marnus Labuschagne, Alex Carey, Cameron Green, Matthew Renshaw, Liam Scott, Xavier Bartlett, Nathan Ellis, Adam Zampa