Bangladesh vs Australia: Tigers recover from collapse to win by five wickets, go 2-0 up in T20I series

Dhaka: Bangladesh recovered from a shaky 67-5 to beat Australia by five wickets Wednesday and go up 2-0 in the five-match Twenty20 series. A 56-run partnership by Afif Hossain and Nurul Hasan for an undefeated sixth-wicket stand proved to be key as Australia was in a favourable position to level the series despite being restricted to 121-7. Bangladesh reached the winning mark with eight balls remaining. Afif, who finished game with a boundary, was unbeaten on 37 off 31, hitting five fours and one six. Hasan was on 22. [caption id=“attachment_9864701” align=“alignnone” width=“640”]  Bangladesh’s Afif Hossain plays a shot during the second T20I against Australia. Image credit: Twitter/@ICC[/caption] Australia fast bowler Mitchell Starc and his new ball partner Josh Hazlewood removed Bangladesh openers Soumya Sarkar and Mohammad Naim in the fourth over. But Shakib Al Hasan hit Starc for three boundaries in a row to release the pressure. Andrew Tye undid Shakib (26) with a slower delivery to help the side claw back into the game again. Australia then took a firm grip on the match when left-arm spinner Ashton Agar removed captain Mahmudullah for 0 and leg-spinner Adam Zampa got rid of Mahedi Hasan for 23. But Afif and Hasan played with caution and aggression to deny Australia the victory. Fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman returned figures of 3-23 as Australia decided to bat first. Fast bowler Shoriful Islam claimed 2-27.

This is the first time Bangladesh beat Australia 2 matches in a row in any format. Tigers lead the series 2-0.#BANvAUS pic.twitter.com/rQFKtgcHGU

— Bangladesh Cricket (@BCBtigers) August 4, 2021

Mitchell Marsh again top-scored for Australia with 45, clobbering five fours. Australia’s batsmen dealt better with spinners after being tormented by them in the first match. Alex Carey reverse-swept Nasum Ahemd twice for four and gave the side a positive start. But Mustafizur and Mahedi put Australia on 31-2 in the first powerplay. Marsh and Moises Henriques put on 57 off 52 for the third wicket in a pitch that was not ideal for stroke-making. Shakib (1-22) broke the partnership, dismissing Henriques with an arm-ball after he struck 30 off 25 with three fours and one six. Shoriful provided the biggest breakthrough, taking the crucial wicket of Marsh. Mustafizur then dismissed captain Matthew Wade and Ashton Agar in consecutive deliveries.