For the first time in his career, Shakib Al Hasan conceded 50 runs in a T20I match, with five sixes in an over, which eventually played the biggest role behind Bangladesh’s 3-wicket defeat against Australia on Saturday at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium.
Bangladesh batted first in this game and posted only 104 runs for nine wickets in 20 overs. In reply, Australia found the going tough losing wickets in regular intervals as Bangladeshi bowlers were disciplined enough to put pressure on them.
But Shakib’s 30-run fourth over cost the match for Bangladesh. The all-rounder was simply clueless while bowling to Daniel Christian who ended up scoring 39 off 15 balls with five sixes, all off Shakib. The left-arm spinner ended up conceding 50 runs without a wicket— his worst bowling figures in the format.
While Shakib had a nightmarish day with the ball, Mustafizur Rahman was once again brilliant conceding only nine runs in four overs with a maiden and two wickets.
Mahedi Hasan also bagged two wickets. But that inconceivably expensive over of Shakib undermined efforts of other bowlers.
Ashton Agar was the second-highest run getter for Australia scoring 27 off 27 balls with two fours and one six. He retired to the dressing room finishing the game. They ended up on 105 for seven in 19 overs.
Earlier, Bangladesh opener Soumya Sarkar continued his poor form with the bat. After scoring 2, 0 and 2 in the first three outings of the series, Soumya perished with 8 runs in this match.
Bangladesh managed to post only 104 runs in the fourth match. Along with Soumya, Mahmudullah Riyad, who had hit a ton in the third match, and Nurul Hasan Shohan also failed with the bat. Both Mahmudullah and Sohan returned for a duck each.
Of the first five batsmen, Mohammad Naim and Shakib Al Hasna were only to reach double-digit scores. While Naim scored 28 off 36 while Shakib posted 15 off 26 deliveries.
Mitchell Swepson, the leg-spinner, was playing his first match in this series. He ended up taking three wickets conceding 13 runs. He removed Mahmudullah and Sohan off two consecutive deliveries during the 11th over. Swepson also scalped Naim for 28.
The onus was on Afif Hossain, Mahedi Hasan and Shamim Hossain to keep the scoreboard afloat. Afif scored 21 off 17 balls before falling prey to Ashton Agar.
Shamim Hossain, who grabbed the limelight in the Zimbabwe tour, failed for the third time in the Australia series scoring three. In the two previous matches, he scored 4 and 3. Mahedi posted 23 off 16 balls with one four and one six.
Eventually, Bangladesh ended up on 104 for nine wickets in 20 overs.
For Australia, Swepson and Andrew Tye bagged three wickets each while and Josh Hazlewood took two wickets.
Bangladesh have already won the series with three consecutive wins in the first three matches. Both the teams will now face each other in the fifth and final match of the series on August 9 at the same venue.
Source: United News of Bangladesh