Bangladesh shock Aussies

Bangladesh — the lowest-ranked team in Test cricket — were coming off Thursday’s ten-wicket loss to England in the three-team tournament, while Australia were rated a 500-1 shot by bookmaker Ladbrokes to lose.

Australia batted first at Sophia Gardens and rallied from a shaky start to reach 249 for five against a team that managed to score 190 last time out.

But Mohammad Ashraful scored his first one-day century — only the second ever by a Bangladeshi — to guide his team to victory with four balls to spare. It was Australia’s third straight loss in six days since arriving in England.

Australia play England today, having lost a Twenty20 match to England and a one-day match against county side Somerset.

Previously, Bangladesh had nine wins from 107 matches — including against the likes of Scotland, Kenya and Hong Kong.

Australia captain Ricky Ponting won the toss but saw his side slump to nine runs for two wickets and then 57 for three. Australia recovered from the second-ball loss of Adam Gilchrist to reach a respectable total.

Damien Martyn hit 77, while Bangladesh’s Tapash Baisya took three wickets for 69 runs.

Then it was Bangladesh’s turn to bat.

The 20-year-old Ashraful made the most of a let-off on 54 when Jason Gillespie spilled a catch at long leg, and went on to complete a 130-run partnership with Habibul Bashar.

Bashar made 46 before he was run out by Gillespie, making it 202 for four. Bangladesh needed 48 runs from 37 balls and new batsman Aftab Ahmed opened his scoring with a four off Michael Hussey.

In the 47th over, Bangladesh needed 22 runs from 16 balls — and took ten runs off McGrath’s over.

Ashraful reached his 100 off 100 balls and, after punching the air, bent down on his knees to kiss the wicket.

Ashraful, who scored an unbeaten 158 in a Test against India in December, lofted the next delivery to long on, where it was caught by Brad Hogg.

With seven runs needed off the final over by Gillespie, Aftab lofted Bangladesh’s only six of the match. Aftab then hit the single that won it.

After the one-day series concludes, Australia will be trying for a ninth straight Ashes win when the Test series starts next month.