Mosaddek returns as Australia opt to bowl in Mirpur ODI opener
Mosaddek Hossain has been included in Bangladesh’s playing XI as Australia stand-in captain Josh Inglis won the toss and elected to bowl first in the opening ODI of the three-match series at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Mirpur today.
The 30-year-old’s selection marks his return to ODI cricket after nearly four years. Mosaddek last played the format during Bangladesh’s home series against Zimbabwe in August 2022, while his most recent international appearance came later that year at the ICC T20 World Cup in Australia. His recall is one of the key talking points of Bangladesh’s team selection, with the management backing his experience and all-round abilities.
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Another notable decision saw left-arm spinner Tanvir Islam preferred ahead of Rishad Hossain, strengthening Bangladesh’s spin options on home soil.
The visitors are playing their first ODI series in Bangladesh in 15 years and are aiming to bounce back after a recent ODI series defeat against Pakistan.
Bangladesh enter the contest in strong form at home, having won their last four ODI series against Sri Lanka, West Indies, Pakistan, and New Zealand. Their success has coincided with a shift away from traditionally slow, low surfaces toward pitches offering more assistance to pace bowlers.
For Australia, South Australia all-rounder Liam Scott makes his ODI debut, while Cooper Connolly opens the batting in an ODI for the first time outside his surprise promotion during the Champions Trophy semi-final. Connolly is playing as a batter only as he continues to manage a back injury.
While much of the pre-match attention has been on Australia’s new faces, Bangladesh’s focus remains firmly on Mosaddek Hossain, whose return provides him with an opportunity to re-establish himself in the national setup after a lengthy absence.
Teams
Bangladesh: Tanzid Hasan, 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: Matt Short, Cooper Connolly, Josh Inglis (capt/wk), Marnus Labuschagne, Alex Carey, Cameron Green, Matthew Renshaw, Liam Scott, Xavier Bartlett, Nathan Ellis, Adam Zampa.
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