WT20, Australia vs Bangladesh as it happened: Despite late wobble, Aussies manage to get past finish line

This is  how Group 2 looks like. Like we said after the Pakistan win, India are still not out of the woods. Both Aus and Pak ahead of India now

#Aus trying hard not to win this #WT20 already.

— Chetan Narula (@chetannarula) March 21, 2016

Adam Zampa is named MoTM for his figures of 3-23

Well, not so ’thrilling’ as much as both teams telling each other they don’t want to win this easily…..

A thrilling game of cricket, and what a crowd in Bangalore! Australia get their first win of #WT20 #AUSvBAN pic.twitter.com/XNI89P0ftq

— ICC (@ICC) March 21, 2016

Aussies home but their batting has hollow madness about it as seen in Maxwell's dismissal. Better fielding & B'desh may well have won #T20WC

— Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah) March 21, 2016

That’s it, it’s all over! Faulkner, the finisher, pushes Australia past the line. Sajib has been poor tonight and bowls a  rank short ball that is pushed past cover for four. Bangladesh have only themselves to blame for a sloppy effort on the field.

Shakib, you beauty! What an over. Two wickets but is it all a bit too late? First he gets Maxwell stumped as he goes for one big shot too many. Then off the last ball, Hastings slogs one straight to cow corner.

Shakib finishes with figures of 4-0-27-3, fighting effort

After 18 overs, Australia 152/7 ( James Faulkner 1)

After 17 overs, Australia 148/5 ( Glenn Maxwell 26 , James Faulkner 0)

Oh Mustafizur, what have you done! Two fast-ish balls in that over and Maxwell pumps both past the boundary line for two big sixes. First a glance over fine leg, and then a straight bat drive over long on. 

Bangladesh have dug their own hole today

OUT! Mustafizur’s cutters are a thing of beauty! The cutter deceives Mitch Marsh and he lobs one to Shakib at point who takes a good running catch

After 16 overs, Australia 135/4 ( Glenn Maxwell 13 , Mitchell Marsh 6)

What a poor, poor over from Bangladesh point of view. Saklain Sajib has let his team down badly just as they were building some pressure. The left arm spinner concedes 14 in the over – including three rubbish boundary balls. First a short ball to Maxwell that he powers past cover, Marsh then repeats the shot. Maxwell finishes the over with a four to cover again, this time a full toss outside off

After 15 overs, Australia 121/4 ( Glenn Maxwell 4 , Mitchell Marsh 1)

Shakib’s over just opens up the things a little bit. Tremendous over, just two runs and a wicket! He has been instrumental for Bangladesh tonight

OUT! Well, hang on here. Australia are making this interesting! Warner hits a full toss straight back to Shakib al Hasan. 38 required from 36 but these wickets are keeping Bangladesh in the hunt

Looks like another L tonight

After 14 overs, Australia 119/3 ( David Warner 17 , Glenn Maxwell 3)

Goodness, this Aussie batting lineup is strong. In walks Maxwell and Al-Amin welcomes him with a stinging bouncer that Maxi just about evades. Just 4 from his over. Hint of a way back into the match?

OUT! Is that the breakthrough that brings Bangladesh back into the game? Al Amin comes back into the attack and Khawaja is bowled round his legs trying to run it down to third man

After 13 overs, Australia 115/2 ( Usman Khawaja 58 , David Warner 16)

Australia are in cruise control in Bengaluru, as Warner joins the party. Pulls a long hop from Mahmudullah to long-on and then a remarkable shot – a back foot smash over long off fr six

Chance of winning:

10th over: Constant hitting by Khawaja with help from Watson saw the Aussie COW rise steadily, though after Watson got run out in the 9th over it slowed down at 77%. Khawaja and Smith kept the run rate above 8 an over, seeing their COW at 81% by the 10th over.

After 12 overs, Australia 98/2 ( Usman Khawaja 57 , David Warner 1)

But out comes David Warner, not a great sight for Bangladesh fans

OUT! What a ripper from Mustafizur! After a series of cutters, a perfect yorker as Steve Smith shuffles too far across and gets himself in a tangle and is clean bowled. A brief glimmer for Bangladesh? The skipper is gone for 14

baffles me how khawaja went unsold at the IPL auction - has been batting like this all season #espnmatchday #AUSvBAN #WT20

— Gaurav Kalra (@gauravkalra75) March 21, 2016

After 11 overs, Australia 94/1 ( Usman Khawaja 54 , Steven Smith (C) 14)

This is all too easy for Australia. Twelve from that Saqlain over, as Smith dances down and lofts it over the sightscreen

Spin not working for Bangladesh at all.

— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) March 21, 2016

FIFTY FOR KHAWAJA! What a knock this has been so far. Barely broken sweat and has taken 37 balls. Extremely in control of the situation. Brings it up with a delicate cut off the back foot to the boundary

After 10 overs,Australia 82/1 ( Usman Khawaja 52 , Steven Smith (C) 6)

After 9 overs, Australia 74/1 ( Usman Khawaja 47 , Steven Smith (C) 4)

Still very much Australia’s match this, considering the depth in their batting. 8 runs from Shakib’s over, starting with a super backfoot punch from Khawaja. He has looked in brilliant touch!

After 8 overs,Australia 66/1 ( Usman Khawaja 41 , Steven Smith (C) 2)

Steve Smith is the new man in

Clarke, M Hussey, Warner and WATSON have all been run out 4 times each in T20Is - most for Australia.#WT20 #AUSvBAN

— Bharath Seervi (@SeerviBharath) March 21, 2016

OUT! Shane Watson’s luck runs out, quite literally as he is  run out going for a tight second run – solid throw from Sabbir in the deep and good work by Rahim, he’s caught just short

After 7 overs, Australia 60/0 ( Usman Khawaja 38 , Shane Watson 20)

Saqlain from the other end for his first over and after conceding just three from the first five balls, Watson breaks his own shackles by coming down the track and plays his signature straight bat lofted drive over long on for six

After 6 overs, Australia 51/0 ( Usman Khawaja 36 , Shane Watson 13)

It’s been all Australia in the powerplay but there was a golden opportunity off the last ball of Mustafizur’s over – Watson gets a leading edge from an offcutter that goes high up in the air – Mithun and Mortaza converge but there is no call as such and it falls in between. Mortaza is not amused at all!

Earlier, Mustafizur came back into action after his injury break to bowl the fourth over – Khawaja had trouble picking the leftie. Just 3 runs from the first five balls and then Watson gets lucky as a slash takes the outside edge past third man for a four

After 5 overs, Australia 44/0 ( Usman Khawaja 34 , Shane Watson 8)

Khawaja is turning it on in Bengaluru! Over of two halves from Shakib, first two balls had Khawaja beaten and then he responds with three consecutive fours – each of them a gem! First down the track for a sweetly timed on drive, then a lofted off drive and a sweep that should have been stopped at cow corner.

After 3 overs, Australia 24/0 ( Usman Khawaja 21, Shane Watson 3)

Al-Amin from the other end. Khawaja plays an excellent pull shot off a pretty poor short ball. And off the last ball, plays a mistimed shot through covers but has enough to take it to the boundary. 10 from the over.

Mahmadullah is #Ban best T20 batsman at the moment...good to see him bat ahead of Mushfiqur. Should be picked in the #IPL #WT20 #BanvsAus

— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) March 21, 2016

After 2 overs, Australia 14/0 ( Usman Khawaja 12 , Shane Watson 2)

Spinner from the other end. Mahmudullah with his gentle off-spinners goes for just five singles

After 1 overs, Australia 9/0 ( Usman Khawaja 9 , Shane Watson 0)

Khawaja (someone who has had to fight for his place in the XI like very few have had to), hits probably shot of the match off the very first over from Mortaza. Slightly overpitched, Khawaja offers the full face off the bat and hits a big six straight past sightscreen! 90m almost.

Out they go! #WT20 #AUSv#BAN pic.twitter.com/zsnCLeGa1k

— ICC (@ICC) March 21, 2016

Right time for the chase, Khawaja and Watson in the middle.. Mortaza to start off…

Bangladesh scored 44 runs in their last 3 overs.

18th over: 15 (3 fours)
19th over: 17 (3 fours)
20th over: 12 (2 fours)#AUSvBAN #WT20

— Bharath Seervi (@SeerviBharath) March 21, 2016

Didn't look good for #BAN, but they recovered well to post a good total. Innings in a gif https://t.co/ZUHFOd8sdg pic.twitter.com/dFUOvSPMdy

— Firstpost Sports (@FirstpostSports) March 21, 2016

Bangladesh must ride on Mahmadullah's late burst of runs to pick themselves up further. How could be make or break for either side

— Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah) March 21, 2016

Mahmudullah in last 7 T20I inns- 49*, 4, 10, 33*, 22*, 23*,36*

5 not outs, turning out to be a very good finisher. pic.twitter.com/JgxAev7ZR5

— Firstpost Sports (@FirstpostSports) March 21, 2016

Chance of winning

End of the innings: In the 16th over, Zampa got the wicket of Shakib and conceded just 4 runs, sending Australia’s COW up to 62%. Watson also gave away just 4 runs, raising their COW to 65%. The last 3 overs were expensive, going for 44 runs, and settling Australia’s COW at 53% at the end of the innings.  

Bangladesh made 52 runs in the last 5 overs, largely thanks to Mahmudullah’s 29-ball 49, studded with 7 4’s and a six

Excellent finish to the innings for Bangladesh! They would have pledged their houses for a total of 156 after losing Tamim due to sickness and Sarkar fell early. Mahmudullah turns it on in the last over as well. Two length balls from NCN, he lofts the first over mid-off and then over wide long-on – a few singles and twos after that as he cannot reach his 50, but this is a gem of an innings from him. 

After 20 overs, Bangladesh 156/5 (Mahmudullah 49 , Mushfiqur Rahim (W) 15)

After 19 overs, Bangladesh 144/5 ( Mahmudullah 38 , Mushfiqur Rahim (W) 14)

Another big over! This is an excellent finish from Bangladesh. Shane Watson’s figures have been spoiled thanks to a 17-run over. Bangladesh are targeting the region past point. First Mahmudllah cuts one past point and then Mushfiqur digs a full ball past the same player. But for Zampa’s fielding there would have been one more. Mahmudullah then pulls a bouncer past fine leg to finish the over in style!

After 18 overs,Bangladesh 127/5 ( Mahmudullah 27 , Mushfiqur Rahim (W) 9)

Faulkner’s over is an expensive one – a much needed big over for Bangladesh. Mahmudullah (Why on earth is he batting this low!) punches twice past short point for two brilliant boundaries. Mushfiqur then pulls to square leg to make it three fours in the over and 15 runs!

After 17 overs,Bangladesh 112/5 ( Mahmudullah 17 , Mushfiqur Rahim (W) 4)

Regular wickets have jolted Bangladesh’s charge here. Mushfiqur has been struggling for form and Watson cramps him for any room. Just four runs from that over.

Chance of winning: 

15th over: Bangladesh yo-yoed between scoring a lot and scoring very little every other over, and lost the wicket of Shuvagata Hom in the 12th over, causing Australia’s COW to fluctuate between 55% and 56% for the most part, before settling at 57% in the 15th over.

After 16 overs, Bangladesh 108/5 ( Mahmudullah 15 , Mushfiqur Rahim (W) 2)

What a spell from Zampa. Finishes his four over for three wickets and 23 runs – Shakib, Mithun and Hom.

OUT! Shakib falls and it’s that man Zampa again. Shakib cuts and the edge goes straight to short third man, NCN, who takes a simple catch

After 15 overs, Bangladesh 104/4 ( Shakib Al Hasan 33 , Mahmudullah 13)

Shakib has struck form at a very opportune time for Bangladesh – after a good hand against Pakistan in a losing cause. Clears his leg and hits Faulkner over cover for four. 8 from that over.

After 14 overs, Bangladesh 96/4 ( Shakib Al Hasan 27 , Mahmudullah 12)

Very good over from Zampa, who’s looked very good on the day so far. Just five runs, 3-0-19-2 so far

Chance of Winning:

10th over: Marsh gave away a lot of runs, taking Australia’s COW down to 55% in the 7th over after Watson had got the dangerous Sabbir Rahman out in the 6th. Hastings conceded just 4 runs in the 8th, but Maxwell went for 12 runs in the 9th. Zampa got Mithun out in the 10th over, giving Australia’s COW a slight lift to 56%.

Stumps us every time…

After 13 overs, Bangladesh 91/4 ( Shakib Al Hasan 24 , Mahmudullah 10)

Another over with 10 runs off consecutive balls as Mahmudullah, the designated finisher for Bangladesh, takes on Hastings. First a cut past point for four and then a tremendous front foot pick up pull shot over square leg for six!

After 12 overs, Bangladesh 80/4 ( Shakib Al Hasan 23 , Mahmudullah 0)

Zampa almost had Mahmudullah off the first ball he faced but a huge LBW appeal is turned down and rightly so by Ian Gould. 12 from that over

OUT! Hom has to go back. SIX, FOUR and then.. OUT! Zampa gets his man eventually but not before Hom gets 10 runs off the first two balls – first a six over long on that was in the air for the longest time and then a cut past third man. Third ball, Zampa brings out the flipper and he’s trapped in front. Good stuff from Zzampa

After 10 overs, Bangladesh 64/3 ( Shakib Al Hasan 20 , Shuvagata Hom 1)

Zampa should have had two wickets in his first over! Marsh drops a fairly straightforward chance at square leg as Hom mistimes a sweep.

OUT! Mithun falls – and it’s a pretty soft dismissal. Australia’s only recognised spinner Adam Zampa strikes off his second ball. A short ball and Mithun can only hit it straight to wide long-on.

After 9 overs, Bangladesh 61/2 ( Mohammad Mithun 23 , Shakib Al Hasan 18)

Hastings goes for just 4 runs in over. In comes Maxwell next over and Shakib takes him to task. First a lofted cover drive for four and then down the track and over long-on for a big six! 12 runs from that over

Chance of winning:

5th over: 10 runs in the first 3 overs, combined with Soumya Sarkar’s wicket in the 2nd over and just 6 runs in the 5th over saw Australia’s COW climb steadily from 52% at the start of the match to 64% by the 5th over.

Bangladesh would be fairly happy with 140, given their spin attack.

After 7 overs, Bangladesh 45/2 ( Mohammad Mithun 19 , Shakib Al Hasan 6)

Finally, a big over for Bangladesh and ironically, comes after the powerplay is over. Mitchell Marsh starts his over by giving width to Shakib who cuts hit ferociously for a four. Mithun then smashes the last ball over long-off for the first six off the match

After 6 overs, Bangladesh 33/2 ( Mohammad Mithun 8 , Shakib Al Hasan 5)

It’s not been a good powerplay for Bangladesh. They needed a much better start than this given Bengaluru favours chasing and Australia’s batting order

OUT! Shane Watson must be feeling at home already! second over and he has his 2nd wicket already – Sabbir, the man in form, steps down and pulls a short ball to Faulkner at mid-on – who takes a neat catch diving forward

After 5 overs, Bangladesh 25/1 ( Mohammad Mithun 6 , Sabbir Rahman 12)

Six runs from NCN’s 3rd over on the trot, working up some good pace. Sabbir misses out on a full toss outside off, hits it high on the bat and just manages two runs

After 4 overs, Bangladesh 19/1 ( Mohammad Mithun 4 , Sabbir Rahman 8)

Sabbir getting a move on, but not before some wild swing and misses. Hastings into the attack, Sabbir plays one over midoff and one over midon for the first boundaries of the day for Bangladesh

After 3 overs, Bangladesh 10/1 ( Mohammad Mithun 3 , Sabbir Rahman 0)

It’s been bit of a struggle for Bangladesh so far, lots of playing and missing. Watson and NCN keeping very tight lines.

Watch closely for Muztafizur's form. Bangladesh and Sunrisers will be doing so!

— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) March 21, 2016

Fairly evenly poised pre-match

Shabbir is capable of doing just that

Throw caution to the wind Bangladesh attack from ball one . Let's see some Afgan style batting. #nothingtolose #AUSvBAN #ICCWT20

— Brian Lara (@BrianLara) March 21, 2016

OUT! Oh dear, exactly the start that Bangladesh did not need! Sarkar flashes outside off and hits it straight to Maxwell at point. No movement at the crease, stands and just swings at what would have been a wide ball. 

Shane Watson, the new Bengaluru boy in IPL, strikes in the first over!

After 1 overs, Bangladesh 2/0 ( Mohammad Mithun 1 , Soumya Sarkar 1)

Good start from Nathan Coulter Nile as he gets a good shape into the left hander and away from the right hander. Just the two singles. Sarkar is very crucial for the Tigers chances tonight

Feeling for #BAN No Taskin, Sunny and now, no Tamim. Hands tied behind the back and asked to fight. #AUSvBAN #WT20

— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) March 21, 2016

BAN XI: M Mithun, Soumya Sarkar, S Rahman, S Al Hasan, Mahmudullah, M Rahim, S Hom, M Mortaza, S Sajib, A Hossain, Mustafizur Rahman

— ICC Live Scores (@ICCLive) March 21, 2016

AUS XI: U Khawaja, S Watson, S Smith, D Warner, G Maxwell, M Marsh, J Faulkner, P Nevill, J Hastings, N Coulter-Nile, A Zampa

— ICC Live Scores (@ICCLive) March 21, 2016

The big news coming in from Chinnaswamy is Tamim Iqbal missing out for Bangladesh – as if they did not have enough problems already and now their squad is stretched thin.

#AUS win the toss and BOWL first here for #AUSvBAN in Bangalore
LIVE: https://t.co/7kswu3xmQH #WT20 #AUS #BAN pic.twitter.com/S4XiU4Xc2f

— ICC (@ICC) March 21, 2016

Michael Clarke: Pretty good chasing ground. We can learn from our last match. We need to execute our plans better. John Hastings in for Ashton Agar

Mortaza: Both of them were doing well for us, it is tough for us. Tamim is not playing today, he is sick. It is difficult.

Australia won the toss and have opted to bowl.

Time for the toss..

Time for the toss..

Bengaluru gets a 2nd match on the trot after the Sri Lanka-West Indies match on Sunday. West Indies romped home but the spinners from both sides were crucial. Samuel Badree, Suleimann Benn were influential, and so were Sri Lanka spinners. 

Which should encourage Bangladesh, given Australia’s spin problems.

Almost go time... #WT20 #AUSvBAN pic.twitter.com/TONCgSOxV7

— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) March 21, 2016

The pre-match narrative surrounding this clash has been about the suspensions handed out to Arafat Sunny and Taskin Ahmed for suspect bowling actions. It has not gone down well at all with Bangladesh fans and most notably, their captain Mortaza.

Teams out warming up for this crucial #AUSvBAN clash
Who will score their first #WT20 win??#AUS #AUS
Or#BAN #BAN pic.twitter.com/2pMXzRsGRU

— ICC (@ICC) March 21, 2016

The pre-match narrative 

Teams out warming up for this crucial #AUSvBAN clash
Who will score their first #WT20 win??#AUS #AUS
Or#BAN #BAN pic.twitter.com/2pMXzRsGRU

— ICC (@ICC) March 21, 2016

Hello and welcome to Firstpost’s live coverage of Australia vs Bangladesh – crucial match for both sides who lost their opening encounters. The venue is Bengaluru’s iconic Chinnaswamy Stadium