Just days before the big semi-final against South Africa in Kolkata, Australia made a big statement by pulling off their highest run chase in World Cup history against Bangladesh in Pune on November 11. The five-time World Cup winners made a mockery of the 307-run target, reaching it inside 45 overs with eight wickets in hand. The chase revolved around Mitchell Marsh’s 177, and he was involved in two hundred-plus partnerships, first with David Warner (53) and then with Steve Smith (63).
Australia’s star-studded batting lineup fired on all cylinders, romping past Bangladesh and finishing the league stage in style. It was a challenging day for Bangladesh’s bowlers as the Aussies smashed them all over the park.
The start of the run chase, however, wasn’t ideal for Australia as Travis Head once again got out cheaply in the third over. Marsh joined Warner, and both batters adopted an aggressive approach on a belter of a wicket. They targeted the short square boundaries on offer, and their partnership quickly grew to 120. Just when it seemed like the Warner-Marsh partnership could secure Australia’s victory, Mustafizur dismissed Warner, momentarily bringing Bangladesh back into the game. However, Steve Smith, who has struggled in this World Cup, came in and continued from where Warner left off. Smith’s return to form was a welcome sign for Australia. He built a mammoth unbeaten 175-run partnership to take the team home.
After being put to bat first, Tanzid Hasan and Litton Das took on Australia’s fast bowlers aggressively, confidently stepping down the track. Bangladesh navigated the power play without losing wickets, handling Sean Abbott and Mitchell Marsh effectively. Against the run of play, an Abbott bouncer sent Hasan back to end the 76-run partnership.
Following that, several Bangladeshi batters made promising starts but none could really kick on and make a big score. Australia strategically rotated their seven bowlers, maintaining patient fields and inducing mistakes from the batting side.
Litton, appearing solid, made an error, holing out in the deep for 36, granting Adam Zampa his first wicket. Stand-in skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto partnered with Towhid Hridoy, who received a batting promotion, and built a partnership for the third wicket. Zampa and Head bowled masterfully in the middle overs, curbing the scoring rate.
Shanto and Hridoy ensured the Australians didn’t regain control, with a 64-run stand before Shanto was run out, falling five runs short of his half-century. Mahmudullah looked promising during his 32 before a brilliant diving effort from Labuschagne led to his run-out.
Hridoy, witnessing two set batters fall short of the crease, achieved his maiden World Cup half-century, marking his sixth ODI fifty in a brief international career. He, along with Mushfiqur Rahim, added 37 for the fifth wicket. Ultimately, the responsibility fell on Hridoy and Mehidy Hasan Miraz to guide Bangladesh beyond the 300-run mark by the end of their innings.
After losing the first two games of the tournament, Australia have bounced back in this World Cup in style. They now head to the semifinal date with South Africa in Kolkata with seven consecutive wins and real momentum. On the other hand, Bangladesh will head back home.