DHAKA, Aug 3, 2021 (BSS) – Bangladesh caught Australia in spin-web
to clinch a 23-run victory in the opening game of the five-match T20
Internationals today at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium.
Left-arm spinner Nasum Ahmed led the charge with his career-best
4-19 and his performance was key in helping the side achieve its first
victory against Aussie in this format.
Thanks to Nasum, Bangladesh defended a moderate 131-7, wrapping up
Australia’s innings for 108 in 20 overs. It was Australia’s lowest
total against Bangladesh in this format.
Nasum was complemented by two-wicket haul from left-arm pacers
Mustafizur Rahman and Shoriful and one-wicket apiece from spinners
Shakib Al Hasan and Mahedi Hasan.
Failing to deal with the spinners cost Australia the game.
Mitchell Marsh who struck three half-centuries in five-match series
against West Indies, was the only Aussie batsman to come up with some
resistance. He made run-a-ball-45 before being out as the sixth
batsman.
The combination of Nasum, Shakib and Mahedi left Australia 11-3 in
just third over with Mahedi breaking through in the first ball,
dismissing Alex Carey for duck.
Nasum had Josh Philippe stumped for 9 and Shakib accounted Moises
Henriques (1) before Marsh started his resistance.
With Shakib and Mahedi denying Australian batsmen to keep the runs
flowing, Nasum ripped through the middle order in a gem of spin
bowling.
Marsh kept the Aussies hope alive with calculated aggression. He
grew with confidence after hitting Shakib a six.
But Nasum Ahmed claimed the prized wicket of Marsh in his last over
when he went for a slog-sweep.
Marsh’s dismissal effectively ended Australia’s chance to win the
game. Mustafizur and Shoriful then took care of Australia’s lower
order.
Earlier, Bangladesh’s positive start was undermined by the
batsmen’s reckless shot against the world class bowling attack after
they were asked to bat first.
Shakib Al Hasan top-scored with 36 off 33, hitting three fours and
opener Naim Sheikh struck 29 ball-30, clobbering two fours and as many
sixes. Afif Hossain was the other notable scorer with 16 ball-23 not
out with three fours.
Naim Sheikh flicked Australia’s speedster Mitchell Starc for a six
over mid-wicket with a cracking shot in just second ball of the
innings, giving the fans an occasion to exalt.
But Australia bowlers regrouped well to impose an extreme pressure,
which was tough for Bangladeshi batsmen to swallow.
While Australia bowlers executed their plan well, Bangladesh
batsmen failed to keep the scoreboard flowing as they played out 47
dot balls.
Starc’s new ball partner Josh Hazlewood broke through with the
wicket of Soumya Sarkar (2) and thereafter Naim Sheikh who looked set
in the crease played a reckless shot to be bowled out by leg-spinner
Adam Zampa.
Shakib and captain Mahmudullah played with caution but failed to
rotate the scoreboard rapidly.
Hazlewood broke the partnership, dismissing Mahmudullah for
run-a-ball-20 with a knuckle ball.
Hazelwood also took the crucial wicket of Shakib Al Hasan when he
appeared set to pace the scoreboard.
Starc then took the care of lower order batsmen but Afif Hossain
held one end strongly to help the side go past 130.
Hazlewood was the most successful bowler for Australia with 3-24
while Starc claimed 2-33. Zampa and Andrew Tye took one wicket apiece.
