Shoaib Akhtar lauds Bangladesh’s fighting spirit for their display against Australia

Former Pakistan pacer Shoaib Akhtar lauded Bangladesh’s fighting spirit after their commendable performance against Australia. Not many would have thought that the game at Trent Bridge would be competitive after Australia piled up a mammoth total of 381 for 5 in their stipulated 50 overs. Batting first, Australia looked in control throughout. Their in-form openers David Warner and Aaron Finch gave them another solid start with the bat.

Finch and Warner added 121 runs for the opening wicket before the former departed at 53. Warner and Usman Khawaja then piled more misery on Bangladesh by adding 192 runs for the second wicket. It only came to an end when Soumya Sarkar sent back Warner but not before the latter played a brilliant knock of 166. The likes of Khawaja, Glenn Maxwell and Alex Carey then helped the defending champions post their highest total of this World Cup.

But despite the pressure of a mammoth total – 381 runs on the scoreboard, Bangladesh came up with a heartening effort. Buoyed after chasing down a 300-plus total in their last outing, the Tigers lost Soumya Sarkar to a run out cheaply before Tamim Iqbal and Shakib Al Hasan steadied things. But Australia struck at regular intervals to send back both Tamim and Shakib along with Liton Das to reduce Bangladesh to 175 for 4.

However, the Mashrafe Mortaza-led side was not ready to give up yet. Mushfiqur Rahim and Mahmudullah combined for a fifth-wicket stand worth 127 to revive the chase but they were just left with too much to do. The Tigers eventually finished on 333 for 8 – their highest ever ODI score and also their third 300-plus total in the ongoing tournament. Rahim starred with the bat, scoring an unbeaten century while Tamim and Mahmudullah scored fifties.

Shoaib Akhtar impressed:

After the end of the game, Shoaib Akhtar took to Twitter to laud Bangladesh for their display. The legendary pacer lauded their fighting spirit and said that the match could have gone their way if they had not conceded too many runs in the end.

Also read- Soumya Sarkar imitates Cristiano Ronaldo’s signature celebration after dismissing Aaron Finch

“Amazing fighting spirit again from Bangladesh. They gave extra runs in last few overs otherwise this was their match pretty much.  Such good lessons in how these guys approach a big chase.” Wrote Akhtar.

Amazing fighting spirit again from Bangladesh. They gave extra runs in last few overs otherwise this was their match pretty much.
Such good lessons in how these guys approach a big chase. #AUSvBAN #CWC19

— Shoaib Akhtar (@shoaib100mph) June 20, 2019