The Tigers fought hard, but could not save the series. Australia clinched it with a match to spare, winning two T20Is in a row to dash the hosts’ hopes.
Australia posted their highest team total against Bangladesh in T20Is. Batting first in Chattogram on Friday, they made 196 for 5. Chasing, the Tigers fell agonisingly short, losing by 7 runs.
To win, Bangladesh would have had to set a record: they had never before chased down so many at home. They could not do it today either, but it was not for lack of effort — there was a real chance.
Bangladesh raced to 122 for 2 in 12 overs, needing 75 off the last 8. The well-set Parvez Hossain Emon and Saif Hasan were at the crease.
But Australia struck back, removing both within four balls. In the 12.4th over Aaron Hardie dismissed Emon for 36 off 22, and in the next over Saif fell for 42 off 33.
Captain Towhid Hridoy then tried to balance the equation, but got little support. Shamim Patwary made 7 off 8, and Abdul Gaffar managed just 13 off 11 at a crucial time.
Twenty-three were needed off the last over. Hridoy could take only 15, and was out off the final ball for 35 off 22. Bangladesh’s innings ended at 189 for 6.
Earlier, Tanzid Tamim gave the chase a good base, making 30 off 15 with four fours and a six before falling in the 3.4th over. Coming in at three, Soumya Sarkar was out for 15 off 9.
Saif Hasan then carried the innings with Emon, but when they fell, Bangladesh lost their way.
The biggest contribution to Australia’s big total came from Matt Renshaw, who played his highest T20I innings, remaining unbeaten on 89 off 52. Tim David made 45 off 26.
Bangladesh’s fielders also played a part. Renshaw was given two lives off Nahid Rana’s bowling — once the bowler could not hold a return catch, and once Nasum dropped him.
With the ball, everyone but Nasum Ahmed was more or less expensive. Nasum took 2 for 27 in his 4 overs, Abdul Gaffar took 1 for 53, and Rishad Hossain conceded 46.
In the second T20I on Friday, Australia won the toss and batted, losing Josh Inglis in the third over for 11 off 6. Nahid then removed Cooper Connolly.
After a century in the third ODI and 47 in the first T20I, Connolly fell for 1 this time, edging Nahid Rana to slip. Australia were 34 for 2.
Mustafiz took the next wicket, dismissing Australia captain Mitchell Marsh for 20 off 19. The visitors were 44 for 3 in the powerplay. Renshaw and Tim David then steadied the innings.
Their partnership brought 97 off 50 balls. Saklain broke it by removing David, but Renshaw remained unbeaten. Jewel Davis made 13 late on.
বাংলায় মূল প্রতিবেদন পড়ুন · Read the original Bengali report