18/06/2025
June 18, 2005 â a date etched forever in the golden chapters of Bangladesh cricket history. On this very day, at Sophia Gardens in Cardiff, Bangladesh pulled off one of the biggest upsets in cricket by defeating then-world champions **Australia** by **5 wickets** in the NatWest Series.
Bangladesh were the clear underdogs going into the match. Facing a mighty Australian side featuring legends like **Ricky Ponting, Adam Gilchrist, Matthew Hayden, and Glenn McGrath**, no one gave them a chance. But Bangladesh had other plans.
Batting first, Australia posted a competitive total of **249/5**. In response, the Bangladesh innings was anchored by a young **Mohammad Ashraful**, who played the innings of his life. At just 20 years old, he scored a majestic **100 off 101 balls**, guiding his team with elegance, grit, and fearlessness.
With valuable contributions from captain **Habibul Bashar** and middle-order support, Bangladesh chased down the target with **five wickets in hand**, leaving the cricketing world stunned.
This wasnât just a win. It was a moment of **belief**, a turning point in Bangladeshâs cricketing journey. The victory sent a strong message: Bangladesh could no longer be underestimated.
Today, as we look back at that magical day, weâre reminded of the passion, potential, and power of Bangladeshi cricket.
đ§đŠ **June 18, 2005 â the day Bangladesh believed, and the world began to believe in Bangladesh.**