Bangladesh put up 122-8 in 5th T20 against Australia

DHAKA — Bangladesh put up 122-8 against Australia in the fifth and final T20 International against Australia at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium today.

The Tigers won the first three matches to confirm the series before losing the fourth match and lead the series now by 3-1.

Bangladesh got a decent start after their captain Mahmudullah Riyad chose to bat first in another slow Mirpur track.

The decision to send Mahedi Hasan open the innings with Mohammad Naim, instead of out-of-form Soumya Sarkar worked well as they added 42 runs in just 4.3 overs to provide a good platform.

But Australia bowlers regrouped well to stall Bangladesh’s progress.

Off-spinner Ashton Turner provided the breakthrough, dismissing Mahedi for 12, pacer Dan Christian then blew Bangladesh further with the wicket of Naim who top-scored the side with run-a-ball-23.

With the Australian bowlers maintaining a disciplined line and length, Bangladesh batsmen found it tough to rotate the scoreboard fluently.

Shakib Al Hasan played 20 balls for his 11 while Soumya Sarkar who batted at No. 4 position made 16 off 18. Skipper Mahmudullah Riyad however maintained strike rate over 100, as he struck 19 off 14 with one six.

The Australian pacers, Nathan Ellis and Christian then used the slower deliveries well in the death overs to curb the aggression of Bangladesh batsmen.

Both Ellis, the hat-trick man of the previous match and Christian claimed two wickets apiece.

Ashton Turner, Ashton Agar and Adam Zampa picked up one wicket each.BSS