DHAKA, June 13, (V7N): Bangladesh will chase a historic series whitewash when they face Australia in the third and final ODI at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium tomorrow. The Tigers have already taken an unassailable 2-0 lead, winning the opener by 86 runs via DLS and clinching the second match by 5 wickets, also under DLS after rain interruption.

Both victories saw Bangladesh dominate the cricketing powerhouse, sending fans into delirium. The manner of the wins has fueled belief that a 3-0 sweep is not just fantasy but a realistic target if the team replicates its performances.

Soumya Urges Best XI  

Standing on the brink of history, opener Soumya Sarkar urged the team management to field their strongest possible XI. He argued Bangladesh should focus on completing a historic whitewash rather than experimenting with new combinations.

“It is a matter for the management, but if you ask me, I would say it is better not to test. We are playing against a very big team. Winning 3-0 would be a huge achievement. So only the best XI should be played,” Soumya said.

Miraz’s Fitness a Concern  

Captain Mehidy Hasan Miraz, who was hit on the head by a Nathan Ellis bouncer in the second ODI, remains uncertain despite recovering quickly. Doctors are still monitoring him, though he has rejoined the squad and is doing well.

Considering Miraz’s condition, Bangladesh have added off-spinner Mahedi Hasan to the squad.

Bigger Celebration Demanded  

Soumya also felt Bangladesh’s landmark series triumph deserved greater recognition. “The series we won should have been celebrated in a bigger way because it is a major achievement. I don’t know how much we celebrated it, but it should have been done more,” he remarked.

Looking ahead, he said a 3-0 victory would make the accomplishment even bigger. “That will be our goal. We will play positive cricket, and the team that performs well in all three departments will win,” he added.

Head-to-Head & Context  

The two sides have met 24 times in ODIs, with Bangladesh winning just three. The current success also marks Bangladesh’s 20th bilateral ODI series triumph. England remain the only major side against whom Bangladesh have yet to win an ODI bilateral series.

If the Tigers complete the sweep, it will be the country’s 15th ODI bilateral series whitewash and one of the most memorable achievements in its cricket history.

Squads:  

Bangladesh: Mehidy Hasan Miraz (Captain), Soumya Sarkar, Saif Hassan, Tanzid Hasan Tamim, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Towhid Hridoy, Liton Das, Musaddek Hossain Saikat, Nurul Hasan Sohan, Rishad Hossain, Tanvir Islam, Mustafizur Rahman, Taskin Ahmed, Shoriful Islam, Nahid Rana and Mahedi Hasan.  

Australia: Josh Inglis, Oliver Peake, Cooper Connolly, Liam Scott, Tanveer Sangha, Nathan Ellis, Matthew Kuhnemann, Ben Dwarshuis, Xavier Bartlett, Cameron Green, Travis Head, Riley Meredith, Matthew Short, Adam Zampa, Billy Stanlake, Alex Carey, Matt Renshaw, Mitchell Marsh and Marnus Labuschagne.

END/AJ/RH