BSS, Dhaka
The Tigers are leading the series now by 2-0 thanks to their 23-run victory in the first and five-wicket win in the second game. A win in the third game will give Tigers the series victory in the first bilateral T20 series between the two sides.
In both matches, Australia’s batting line up found them wanting in slow pitch and the batting woes looked unlikely to be solved. In the first match, the visitors were all out for 108 runs, while chasing the target of just 132. In the second match, they were in relatively good position till 16th over before Mustafizur Rahman’s cutter and slower floundered them as they were restricted to 121-7.
Bangladesh were held back to 131-7 in the first game and they never could successfully defend such a moderate total in the past in this format. But the bowlers, specially left-arm spinner Nasum Ahmed wrecked havoc in Australian batting line up with 4-19 to help the side defend the total in emphatic way.
In the second game, chasing a target of 122, Bangladesh were reduced to 67-5 in the 12th over but they didn’t give up against the bowling line up that had Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood. Young Afif Hossain played boldly against those two best bowlers of the world to help the snatch the victory from the jaws of defeat.
Youngsters’ performance was something that gave Bangladesh T20 captain Mahmudullah Riyad the confidence to wrap up the series early.
In both games, ace allrounder Shakib Al Hasan’s contribution was also crucial, which Mahmudullah pointed out. “It's very pleasing to see Afif and Sohan stand up, carry us to the end. They showed maturity. And up front our bowlers did very well to restrict them to 120,” Mahmudullah said. “But Shakib was very important with bowling and batting, shows how important he is to the team. Losing a few early wickets caused tension in the dressing room, but the way Afif and Sohan did, it was a lot of relief. I think Mustafizur has always been there in these conditions, and effective too. Shoriful bowled really well and all the bowlers chipped in too. We are taking it game by game."
Before registering victory in those games, Bangladesh lost all the past four matches against Australia.
In T20 cricket, the Tigers so far played 104 matches and won 36. They had lost a staggering number of 66 matches while two matches fetched no result.
