Bangladesh celebrates 1st T20I victory over Australia, leads the series

Left-arm spinner Nasum Ahmed claimed a career-best 4 from 19 as Bangladesh successfully defended a moderate score of 131/7 to register their first T20I win against Australia on Tuesday.

Australia was bowled out for 108 in 20 overs, its lowest total against Bangladesh in the shortest format.

Left-arm pacers Mustafizur Rahman and Shoriful Islam took two wickets apiece to complement Nasum and secure Bangladesh’s first victory against Australia in five encounters.

Failing to deal with the spinners cost Australia.

Shakib Al Hasan, another left-arm spinner, and offspinner Mahedi Hasan also played their part, taking a wicket each.

Mitchell Marsh, who struck three half-centuries in five matches against the West Indies, was the only Australian to sustain any resistance. He made a run-a-ball 45 before being the sixth man out.

The combination of Nasum, Shakib and Mahedi reduced Australia to 11-3 in the third over.

Mahedi broke through with the first ball to dismiss Alex Carey, Nasum got Josh Philippe stumped for 9, and Shakib accounted for Moises Henriques before Marsh got going.

With Shakib and Mahedi denying Australia a flow of runs, Nasum ripped through the middle order in a gem of spin bowling.

Marsh kept the visitors’ hopes alive with calculated aggression, and his confidence grew after hitting Shakib for six. Marsh was undone in Nasum’s last over when he went for a slog-sweep, and Australia’s chances effectively went with him.

Made to bat first, Shakib top-scored for Bangladesh with 36 off 33, and opener Mohammad Naim struck a 29-ball 30, clobbering two fours and as many sixes. Afif Hossain added an unbeaten 23 off 16.

Naim flicked Australia speedster Mitchell Starc for six-over midwicket with a cracking shot in the second ball of the innings.

Starc’s new-ball partner, Josh Hazlewood, broke through with the wicket of Soumya Sarkar on 2, and Naim was removed by leg-spinner Adam Zampa.

Shakib and captain Mahmudullah played with caution but failed to rotate the scoreboard rapidly.