Bangladesh VS Australia T20 International Series
1st Match Played at SBNCS, Dhaka on 3 August 2021
Bangladesh 131 /7 (Shakib Al Hasan 36, Mohammad Naim 30, Afif Hossain 23, Mahmudullah Riad 20, Josh Hazelwood 3/26, Mitchel Starc 2/33)
Australia 108 All Out (Mitchel Marsh 45, Mitchel Starc 14, Mathhew Wade 13, Nasum Ahmed 4/19, Mustafiz 2/16, Shoriful Islam 2/ 19)
Bangladesh Won by 23 Runs.
Player of The Match; Nasum Ahmed
Continuing the winning momentum Bangladesh producing a comprehensive performance in bowling and fielding successfully defended a low score of 131/7 against strong Australia winning by 23 runs. It was the first ever Bangladesh win over team Australia in the first ever T20 International series.
The previous 4 matches were all played in global ICC tournaments. With this Bangladesh now has won 1 match each in all three formats – ODI at Cardiff, Test and T20 International at SBNCS. For different reasons some leading players of both teams did not or could not appear yesterday in the low scoring match on a slow gripping wicket. Bangladesh batting first struggled all the way producing 131 /7 in allotted overs. Only very ardent followers thought Bangladesh would defend that score though this Australia team came with lean batting resources. Yet the resolve of team tigers, excellent bowling, exceptional fielding and dynamic leadership of Mahmudullah earned for the tigers a highly satisfying first ever win against a formidable force of world cricket. Bravo team tigers.
It was perhaps not too a smart decision of captain Matthew Wade opting to field after winning the toss consider the depleted batting resource at his disposal. Perhaps very little or no homework about SBNCS wicket led him doing that. Yet on the slow low wicket Starc and Hazelwood extracting bounce and pace tormented Bangladesh batting. Soumya looked miserable in his 9 balls stay, Naim started with a bang slapping Starc first ball over the fence and looking great in his 29 balls 30, Shakib (36) and Mahmudullah (20) struggled a bit. Afiff looked impressive in his 17 balls 23. Otherwise, it was nothing much to mention about Bangladesh batting. At innings break it was thought Bangladesh score was at least 25-30 runs too little too less. Hazelwood (3/26) and Starc (2/33) lived up to their reputation generating pace and bounce even on SBNCS wicket. Conspicuously Australian fielders dropped few catches. Not often world cricket witness Australia dropping catches. But that happened yesterday. Bangladesh batsmen were perhaps a bit shocked and awed confronting the formidable Australian attack even on slow low gripping track. Yet Naim looked brave and Afif impressed yet again. These two youngsters displayed fearless cricket grabbing opportunities with both hands.
Depending such a low score against a good team like Australia required lot of resolve and commitment. Bangladesh ably marshaled by Mahmudullah had plenty. The inclusion of the playing eleven had lot of positives. From the inclusion of Nasum Ahmed and Mehedi was the evidence of homework done. Perhaps team think tank witnessed how Australian batting struggled against Hayden Walsh in the recent Caribbean tour. Unlike Australia starting with the pace of Starc and Hazelwood, Mahmuddullah let Mehdi Hasan and Nasum Ahmed starting with the new ball. While Naim struck Starc a hefty blow to Satrc’s first ball Mehedi got the wicket of stop gap opener Carey. Australia soon reduced to 3/11 by the 3rd over as Nasum and Shakib also struck deadly blows Aussie batsmen appeared to look like raw novice against great bowling and inspired fielding of Bangladesh. Tiger got the taste of blood.
Nasum was exceptional on the day taking 4/19. Mustafiz (2/16) and Shoriful (2/19) varying their pace and adjusting to the condition of the wicket did not let grip loosened at all. Shakib (1/24) bowled misery as usual and Mehedi (1/22) also bowled tight. Mahmuddullah marshaled his resources exceptionally well. Only Mitchel Marsh looked good with his run a ball 45. Eight of the batsmen could not even reach double figures. Bangladesh bowlers could successfully set cat among the pigeons. Bangladesh recorded a very impressive 23 runs win (first ever against Australia). It was the lowest ever (131/7) defended. A great team effort. This win would give a huge boost. It now seems that even winning the series may not be impossible. Resting Taskin and Saifuddin was a brave and appropriate decision. Bangladesh had horses for the courses for the bowling and all executed the plan clinically.
However, Bangladesh batting has lot of room for improvement. Everyday low scores cannot be defended. Starc and Hazelwood would bowl swinging full deliveries, unleash deadly Yorkers. Bangladesh batsmen have to know how to deal with these. It will be great lessons learnt. It will be rational thinking that Australia will strongly bounce back, play very aggressive cricket as their ego must have been rubbed. Bangladesh must not let the grip loose and must continue playing hard and tough cricket.
Congratulations team tigers from a Bangladeshi Australian Cricket admirer.
BDST: 0945 HRS, AUG 4, 2021
SMS
