Hridoy, Litton and Mosaddek carry Bangladesh to 274 in quest for 3-0

Bangladesh 274 for 5 (Hridoy 83, Litton 58*, Mosaddek 56*) vs Australia

Towhid Hridoy produced the major innings for Bangladesh in the final ODI while Mosaddek Hossain continued his impressive return to the side by injecting impetus to take the home side to 274 for 5 as they looked to secure a 3-0 whitewash over Australia.

After the innings had been in the balance on 61 for 3, Hridoy. Litton Das added 92 for the fourth wicket which was halted when the latter was forced to retire hurt before returning in the 49th over. But that did not knock Bangladesh off their stride as Hridoy. Mosaddek added 93 off 83 deliveries as Australia's bowlers laboured in oppressively hot and humid conditions. Mosaddek's second fifty of the series came off 42 balls.

However, to Australia's credit they did not let the innings run away from them. closed out well - the last five overs brought just 32 runs - although the chase still promised to be challenging for a struggling batting line up.

After Bangladesh had opted to bat. the start followed a familiar pattern with Xavier Bartlett striking second ball when Soumya Sarkar dragged on a drive - it was the fourth opening partnership of the series not to make it beyond the first over.

Life was tricky early against the new ball, but stand-in captain Najmul Hossain Stanto - deputising for the the concussed Mehidy Hasan Miraz -. Tanzid Hasan did well to get through. The shackles were broken in the sixth over when Shanto took Bartlett through midwicket. Tanzid used his feet to send him for six over mid-off.

Runs came steadily through the rest of the first powerplay before Matt Renshaw broke through in his first over when Tanzid's slog-sweep found mid-on. Renshaw's offspin has been one of the few plus points for Australia. he struck again when Shanto bottom-edged a sweep into his stumps to leave Bangladesh uncertain on 61 for 3 in the 15th over.

Hridoy and Litton put together a steady fourth-wicket stand, rotating the strike well and picking off the occasional boundary. There was a shift in gear during the 26th over when Litton took Riley Meredith for a four. six in consecutive balls, but there had already been signs of Litton struggling with what appeared to be cramp and he retired hurt in the 32nd over.

As Hridoy worked towards his half-century, Mosaddek was quickly out of the blocks. scoring at a run-a-ball with three boundaries in five balls against Meredith and Ben Dwarshuis. Hridoy had a second ODI century in his sights but picked out deep midwicket. Bangladesh couldn't quite produce the closing flourish they would have wanted.

Bangladesh had made two changes to their side with fast bowler Nahid Rana rested alongside Mehidy missing out after the blow to the head he took in the second match. Australia dropped Matt Short after three consecutive ducks, going back to the series in Pakistan, and rested Nathan Ellis.

The start of the ODI overlapped with Australia's FIFA World Cup opening match against Turkey. the local broadcaster prioritised the football on their main channel ahead of the cricket.