Australia moved to second place on the Group 1 points table thanks to a better net run rate with a thumping victory against Bangladesh. Their bowlers, led by Adam Zampa, bowled out Bangladesh for 73 in 15 overs. The batters then completed the chase in 6.2 overs to take their net run rate above South Africa’s. A win against West Indies should see them through.
Australia asked Bangladesh to bat. The procession began in the first over, with Liton Das being yorked by the first ball he faced from Mitchell Starc. Bangladesh lost two more wickets in next two overs, of Soumya Sarkar (5) and Mushfiqur Rahim (0). Mohammad Naim added 22 with Mahmudullah before becoming Josh Hazlewood’s second victim.
Afif Hossain nicked Zampa’s first ball to Aaron Finch in the slip. Mahmudullah and Shamim Hossain then put up the biggest partnership of the innings, adding 29 for the sixth wicket. Shamim hit a six and four in his 19 but became Zampa’s second victim when Matthew Wade took a good catch. Zampa dismissed Mahedi Hasan leg before with the next ball.
In the next over, Strac ended the long vigil of Mahmudullah, who was also pouched by Wade for 18. Zampa could have done the his hat-trick, but Wade could not hold on to a nick. However, he picked two more wickets in the same over to finish with 5-19, his best analysis for Australia in the T20 World Cup. Bangladesh were bundled out for 73.
While the Australian chase was little but a formality, Finch ensured that they did not waste the opportunity to lift their NRR. He added David Warner added 58 in five overs before falling for a 20-ball 40. Warner, too, got 18 in 14 balls. Mitchell Marsh completed the chase with an unbeaten 5-ball 16 and Bangladesh completed the tournament with five defeats in the Super 12s.
Brief scores: Bangladesh 73 in 15 overs (Shamim Hossain 19; Adam Zampa 5-19) lost to Australia 78/2 in 6.2 overs (Aaron Finch 40; Shoriful Islam 1-9) by 8 wickets with 82 balls to spare. Player of the Match: Adam Zampa.