Terrific Mustafizur restricts Australia to 121-7 in 2nd T20

DHAKA - Fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman claimed three wickets for 23 as Australia were restricted to a below par 121-7 in the second T20 International against Bangladesh at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium today.
 
Mustafizur, adorably called as the Fizz, confounded the Australian batsmen with slower and cutters to deny them making carnage towards the death. He was ably supported by fellow paceman Shoriful Islam’s 2-27. Shakib Al Hasan and Mahedi Hasan took one wicket apiece.
 
Mitchell Marsh was the top-scorer for the Aussie again with 42 ball-45, sending the ball across the ropes for five times.
 
Thanks to Marsh, Australia was in position to dominate Bangladesh in the death overs but Mustafizur’s decisive bowling tamed them and kept the target in sight.
 
Australia who elected to bat first made a positive start with Alex Carey reverse-sweeping first game hero Nasum Ahmed twice for boundaries in the second over.

Offspinner Mahedi Hasan broke through with the wicket of Carey (11) and Mustafizur Rahman outfoxed Josh Philippe with a slower for 10, leaving Australia 31-2 in the first powerplay.
 
But Marsh, promoted to No.3, stabilized the innings alongside Moises Henriques. They put on 57 off 52 for the third wicket, playing with caution and aggression in a pitch that was not ideal for stroke-making.
 
Shakib Al Hasan broke the partnership, dismissing Henriques with an arm-ball after he struck 30 off 25 with three fours and one six.
 
Fast bowler Shoriful Islam then provided the biggest breakthrough, taking the crucial wicket of Marsh. But Australia by then were placed in a good position.
 
Nevertheless, they failed to cash in and Mustafizur was the wrecker-in-chief. He got the better of captain Matthew Wade and Ashton Agar in consecutive deliveries with slower to ruin Australia’s chance to capitalize on the platform set by Marsh. Australia however couldn’t come back in the match.BSS