Sports Reporter :
Bangladesh clinched the historic Twenty20 International (T20I) series 4-1 after thrashing Australia by 60 runs in the fifth and final T20I at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in the city’s Mirpur on Monday. It was for the first time Bangladesh won over Australia in a T20I series.
Electing to bat first, Bangladesh notched up 122 for the loss of eight wickets in the stipulated 20 overs and then bundled out Australia for 62 off 13.4 overs. It was the lowest total for Australia in their T20I campaign.
Bangladesh made a good start as openers Mahedi Hasan and Mohammad Naim put on together 42 runs before Mehedi Hasan ( 13) was caught at the midwicket by Ashton Agar off Ashton Turner.
After dismissal of Mahedi Hasan, Bangladesh batsmen failed to make any notable partnership.
Naim hit a run-a-ball 23. He struck one six and one four before he was caught at the point by Agar off Dan Christian when Bangladesh’s score was 57 for the loss of two wickets.
Shakib Al Hasan failed to make justice for his name as he (11) was trapped leg before wicket by Adam Zampa when Bangladesh’s score was 60 for the loss of three wickets.
Third-down Mahmudullah Riyad made 19 from 14 balls featuring one six before he was caught & bowled by Agar when the hosts’ total was 84 for the loss of four wickets.
Second-down Soumya Sarkar ( 16) again failed to shine with willow as he was caught at the long-off by Turner off Christian when the home side’s score was 96 for the loss of five wickets.
Fifth-down Afif Hossain was the other batsman who reached double digit figures making 10 runs before he was caught at the short fine leg by Mitchell Marsh off Nathan Ellis when the hosts’ total was 114 for the loss of seven wickets.
18 runs came from extras to the Bangladesh total.
Ellis and Christian bagged two wickets each giving 16 and 17 runs respectively.
Australia batsmen totally failed to face Bangladesh bowlers. Bangladesh bowlers totally dominated Australian batsmen. Australia lost their wickets in regular intervals.
Shakib Al Hasan captured four wickets in the space of nine runs and was adjudged the Man of the Match. Mohammad Saifuddin grabbed three wickets at the cost of 12 runs and Nasum Ahmed claimed two wickets giving eight runs.
Mahmudullah took one wicket for nine runs.
Nasum Ahmed gave his team an early breakthrough as opener Dan Christian (3) was bowled out by the left-arm spinner when Australia’s score was just three.
One-down Mitchell Marsh ( 4) was trapped leg before wicket by Nasum Ahmed when the tourists’ total was 17 for the loss of two wickets.
Mathew Wade (22) was bowled out by Shakib Al Hasan when the visitors’ score was 38 for the loss of three wickets.
Second-down Ben McDermott (17) was caught & bowled by Mahmudullah Riyad when Australia’s total 48 for the loss of four wickets.
Then Mohammad Saifuddin dismissed Alex Carey for just three runs, removed Moises Henriques for three runs.
Shakib Al Hasan picked up the wicket of Turner for one run, then Saifuddin dismissed Agar for two runs, and Shakib removed Ellis for one run.
Later, Adam Zampa (4) was caught at the short cover by Mahmudullah Riyad off Shakib Al Hasan and Australia’s innings came to an end.
