Bangabandhu T20 Series
Bangladesh VS Australia
3rd Match Played at SBNCS Dhaka on 6 August 2021
Brief Scorecard
Bangladesh: 127/9 (Mahmudullah Riad 52,Shakib Al Hasan 26, Afif Hossain 19, Nathan Ellis 3/34, Josh Hazelwood 2/16, Adam Zampa 2/24)
Australia 117/4 in 20 Overs (Mitchel Marsh 51, Ben McDormot 35, Alex Carey 20*, Shoriful Islam 2/29, Nasum Ahmed 1/19, Shakib Al Hasan 1/24, Mustafizur Rahman 0/9)
Bangladesh Won by 10Runs
Bangladesh Wraps Up The Series 3-0 With 2 Matches to Play
Player Of The Match: Mahmudullah Riad.
Playing with the ferocity and resolve of true Tigers in their own den SBNCS (Bengal Tigers National Cricket Stadium) Bangladesh recorded hat trick of Match Wins against formidable Australia. In the series named after the father of the nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman on the occasion of his birth centenary, team tigers added a new feather in its crown successfully defending yet another low score of 127/9. Brilliant bowling and fielding took the wind out of the sail of the awful Aussies as they were suffocated to 117/4. The milestone setting brilliant hat trick on the debut by Nathan Ellis (3/34) was overshadowed. Earlier Bangladesh won the first match by 23 runs and the second by 5 wickets in matches played within 24 hours of August 3 and 4 . This hat Tricks of Win earns Bangladesh a rare series win against formidable Australia. So far the scoreboard of two teams read 4-3 in favor of the tourist in the 7 T20I played. Bangladesh looks as firm favorites now for achieving a Banglawash.
Australia looked a very different outfit appearing with three changes to their playing XI. Ben McDormott, Nathan Ellis and Dan Christian played for the first time in the must win third match for saving the series. All three made significant contributions with debutant Ellis entering the record book as debutant achieving hat trick with the last three balls of the Bangladesh innings. Australia bowled and fielded like the Australians reputed for taking brilliant catches and earning two important run outs with direct throws. Bangladesh opting to bat struggled scoring a well below par 127/9 . Thanks to a pains taking 53 balls 52 by brave Mahmudullah that led Bangladesh ship cruising through rough waters. The only other score to be mentioned was that of Shakib (26 off 17 balls) taking the fight to the Aussies. Young Afif was looking good scoring 19 till he was brilliantly run out by the direct throw of Alex Carey. The woos of Bangladesh openers Soumya (1) and Naim (2) continued as they were gone by the 3rd over with scoreboard reading a dreadful 2/3. Experienced campaigners Shakib (26) and Mahmudullah (52) steered out the tight somewhat adding 44 in the third wicket. Captain led the mission recovery setting the anchor deep. On the day Australian looked very sharp and agile in the field unlike the earlier tow matches. Young Afif playing true to his growing reputation was looking good till his blooming innings was plucked out by a brilliant direct throw of Alex Carey. Afif scored 19 in 13 deliveries by then. Wickets kept tumbling. But Mahmudullah stayed and despite of debutant Ellis striking deadly blows with the last three balls of the innings Bangladesh reached 127/9 . Few thought it was 20 runs less than what required.
Australia appeared to be cruising as Mcdormott and Marsh sons of two Australin star players of the past adding 68 runs for the second wicket raised genuine hopes for turning around. The balls were still gripping and turning. Bangladesh was showing never say die attitude. Shakib cleaning out McDormott (35) rocked the Aussies at a critical time. Young Shoriful struck double blows taking the all-important wicket of Marsh for 51 and Henriques for 2. Bangladesh set cats among the pigeon. Mustafiz bowled amazing 17th and 19th overs giving away nothing. Australins failed decoding his mystery slow cutters. In such a low scoring match bowling his miserly 4 overs giving away 9 runs only Mustafiz suffocated the visitors to 117/4.Team Bangladesh walked into history wrapping up the series (3-0) and created a possibility for a series whitewash.
Bangladesh set a new record of defending 131 in the first match. Yesterday that record was broken as the score of 127 was also defended . Records are tumbling and new milestones are being set match after match. Team tigers glorified Bangladesh in the cricket arena. Bangladesh maintaining the winning momentum should achieve Banglawash from where it stands now. But Australia showed signs for turning around. Bangladesh needs addressing the opening partnership. Soumya looks pretty ordinary, Naim is also not delivering. With an eye for the next series against strong New Zealand Bangladesh has to look for options without must disturbing the balance of the winning combination. Bangladesh must keep in mind that Australia is desperately looking for a winning formula. There is no scope to relax.
BDST: 0949 HRS, AUG 7, 2021
