Australia v Bangladesh World T20 – 5 Talking Points

Usman Khawaja (58 from 45 runs) starred for Australia in their 3 wicket win over Bangladesh at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium. Batting first, Bangladesh managed a respectable total of 156/5 in 20 overs with the help of Mahmudullah Riyad’s solid 49 runs from just 29 balls. Mushfiqur Rahim and Shakib al Hasan also played valuable knocks. Australia, chasing 157 runs, got off to a great start, courtesy to Usman Khawaja and Shane Watson. The pair put on a quick 62 runs stand before Watson departed. But, Khawaja continued in the same vein but fell just after completing his half-century. Steven Smith and David Warner then handled the situation before Australia experienced a flurry of wickets but reached home safely riding on the rapid cameo by Glenn Maxwell.

1. Wobbly start for Bangladesh:

Bangladesh was off to a very shaky start as they lost their opener Soumya Sarkar (1 from 6 balls) and No-3 Sabbir Rahman (12 from 17 balls) quite early before the end of the powerplay. Nathan Coulter-Nile started the proceedings for Australia and bowled a tight first over to Sarkar. Sarkar in an attempt to break free tried to charge at Shane Watson but failed badly after his slash wide outside off-stump went straight to the man at point. Sabbir, on the other hand, seemed to be taking the time to settle down and had just began to get runs smoothly before he became Shane Watson’s second victim.

2. Mahmudullah Riyad and Mushfiqur Rahim sizzle:

Bangladesh settled down after the early loss of wickets. However, they never looked to be going good. Small partnerships kept the runs coming at a steady pace. But, an aggressive thrust was required so that the team could reach a challenging total in the end. Mahmudullah and Mushfiqur Rahim did that job for Bangladesh today. The pair came together after the fall of Shakib al Hasan in the 16th overs. Mahmudullah (49 from 29 balls) and Mushfiqur (15 from 11 balls) cracked some stunning strokes  and muscled 51 runs run together in the remaining overs to take Bangladesh to a comfortable 156/5 in 20 overs.

3. Adam Zampa picks his career best numbers:

Leg spinner Adam Zampa had the best day of his international career so far. The leggie picked up his career best figures of 3/23 in a superb display of spin bowling.  He bowled with aggression and kept luring the batsmen to come at him. The opposition did manage a couple of crunch hits but in the end, he was the one who had an upper hand over them. His scalps today were Mohammad Mithun, Shuvagata Hom, Shakib al Hasan. He took all his wicket at crucial moments and kept a check on thriving partnership, not allowing the Bangladeshis to completely take charge.

4. Shane Watson’s all-round show:

Shane Watson’s brilliant run since his comeback continued after he did exceptionally well with the bat as well as with the ball. Watson opened with the new ball and chipped in with the wickets of Soumya Sarkar and Sabbir Rahman. Watson got hit during his second spell but eventually ended with figures of 2/31 at the end of the first innings. He did well with the bat too. Watson opened the innings with Khawaja and both put on a brilliant 1st wicket stand of 62 runs before Watto departed in the 8th overs making 21 from 15 balls. The opening stand did the half job of chasing down the target for the Aussies.

5. Australia loses a flurry of late wicket but reaches home safe:

Australia began well as Usman Khawaja (58 from 45 balls) and Shane Watson (21 from 15 balls) dominated the Bangladeshi bowlers initially and gave a solid start while chasing. Usman Khawaja was the real star at the start and clobbered the Bangladeshi bowlers with ease. However, the chase did not end smoothly after the stand was broke. Steve Smith and David Warner ticked singles and double but then lost their wickets.  Mitchell Marsh and John Hastings all lost their wickets in quick succession. But, Glenn Maxwell, however, scored rapidly and did the job for Australia but could not stay unbeaten and lost his wicket in the 18th over. But, the chase was done and dusted till now and James Faulkner knocked off the handful of runs required to wrap off the match.