Sports Reporter :
Australia recorded a consolation three-wicket win over Bangladesh in their fourth Twenty20 International (T20I) match at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in the city’s Mirpur on Saturday.
Bangladesh have already clinched the T20I series. Bangladesh won the first three T20I matches in a row.
Electing to bat first, Bangladesh made 104 for the loss of nine wickets in the stipulated 20 overs.
In reply, Australia reached the winning target making 105 for the loss of seven wickets when they had just six balls to spare.
Bangladesh had a shaky start as opener Soumya Sarkar (8) was caught at the cover by Alex Carey off Josh Hazlewood when the hosts’ score was 24.
One-down Shakib Al Hasan (15) was caught behind by wicketkeeper Mathew Wade off Hazlewood when the home side’s total was 48 for the loss of two wickets.
Second-down Mahmudullah Riyad (0) was trapped leg before wicket by Mitchell Swepson when Bangladesh’s score was 51 for the loss of three wickets.
Number-5 batsman Nurul Hasan (0) was trapped leg before wicket by Swepson when the hosts’ total was 51 for the loss of four wickets.
Opener Mohammad Naim was caught by Mathew Wade off Swepson when Bangladesh’s score was 68 for the loss of five wickets.
Naim made 28 from 36 balls featuring two fours.
Fourth-down Afif Hossain (20) was caught at the deep midwicket b y Moises Henriques off Ashton Agar when Bangladesh’s total was 78 for the loss of six wickets.
After Afif’s dismissal, Shamim Hossain (3) was caught at the midwicket by Alex Carey off Andrew Tye when the hosts’ score 83 for the loss of seven wickets.
Sixth-down Mahedi Hasan was caught at the cover by Carey off Tye when the home side’s total was 104 for the loss of eight wickets.
Mahedi scored 23 from 16 deliveries including one four and one six.
Number-10 batsman Shoriful Islam (0) was caught at the deep midwicket by Ben McDermott off Tye and Bangladesh’s innings came to an end.
Swepson, Tye grabbed three wickets each giving 12 and 18 runs respectively, while Hazlewood bagged two wickets at the cost of 24 runs.
Australia had a poor start as opener Mathew Wade (2) was bowled out by Mahedi Hasan when the touring side’s score was just three.
After Wade’s departure, McDermott and Dan Christian repaired the damage adding together 44 runs for the second wicket partnership before McDermott (5) was trapped leg before wicket by Nasum Ahmed when the visitors’ total was 47 for the loss of two wickets.
One-down Christian was caught at the point by Shamim Hossain off Mustafizur Rahman when the tourists’ score was 49 for the loss of three wickets.
Christian hit a windy 39. His 15-ball innings saw five sixes and a four. He struck five sixes in the fourth over of their innings. Shakib conceded five sixes.
After Christian’s departure, Henriques (4) was run out by Shakib Al Hasan when the visitors’ total was 60 for the loss of four wickets.
Fourth-down Carey (1) was trapped leg before wicket by Mustafizur Rahman when the Aussies’ score was 63 for the loss of five wickets.
Second-down Mitchell Marsh (11) was bowled out by Mahedi Hasan when the touring side’s total was 65 for the loss of six wickets.
Sixth-down Agar (27) was caught at the mid-on by Shamim Hossain off Shoriful Islam when Australia’s score was 99 for the loss of seven wickets.
Then Ashton Turner and Tye guided their team to reach the winning spot.
Mustafizur Rahman and Mahdi Hasan bagged two wickets each giving just nine and 17 runs respectively.
Shoriful Islam and Nasum Ahmed took one wicket each for eight and 17 runs respectively.
