Australia will battle to level the series when they take on Bangladesh on 4 August, for the second T20I at Shere Bangla National Stadium, Dhaka.
Bangladesh have taken a 1-0 lead in the five-match series with a comfortable 23-run win less than 24 hours ago. They managed 131/7 after being invited to bat. Shakib Al Hasan top-scored with a 33-ball 36, while Afif Hossain had a late flourish.
The Australian bowlers dominated the entire innings. Josh Hazlewood sent the in-form Soumya Sarkar back to the pavilion early. Andrew Tye and Mitchell Starc provided the seam support Hazlewood needed. The trio shared six scalps, while Adam Zampa claimed the other remaining wicket.
But Australia slumped early with Alex Carey’s first-ball duck. Bangladesh spinners, Mahedi Hasan, Nasum Ahmed and Shakib Al Hasan, then began to spin a web around the Australian batters on a sluggish Mirpur pitch. They did not allow them to shift the gear at any stage, as the visitors ended up being bowled out for 108. Barring Mitchell Marsh, no batter scored in excess of 15 in this innings.
Australia’s poor batting form continued in the absence of David Warner, Aaron Finch, Steven Smith, Glenn Maxwell and Marcus Stoinis. Apart from Marsh, no other batter has stepped up to fill their first-team regulars’ voids to grab the attention for the upcoming T20 World Cup. Their bowlers did a decent job last time, but their batters need to score runs quickly to make full use of this opportunity.
Bangladesh are once again favourites on paper, especially after defending a below-par total in the first match. However, they will look to improve their batting against a fearsome Australian seam attack. They are unlikely to make any changes from their previous lineup.
Betway Fantasy Tips
– Bet on Bangladesh. They are high on confidence for a while now.
– Pick Shakib as captain. He bowled all four overs, and came to bat at No. 3 in the first match.
– Marsh did not bowl a single over last time, but then, he did not need to. He is likely to bowl only if Bangladesh get the upper hand against Australia’s regular bowling options. Remember, he can be a handy wicket-taking option as well.
Likely XIs
Bangladesh: Mahmudullah (c), Nurul Hasan (wk), Soumya Sarkar, Mohammad Naim, Shakib Al Hasan, Afif Hossain, Shamim Hossain, Mahedi Hasan, Mustafizur Rahman, Shoriful Islam, Nasum Ahmed.
Australia: Matthew Wade (c & wk), Josh Philippe, Alex Carey, Mitchell Marsh, Ben McDermott, Ashton Turner, Ashton Agar, Mitchell Starc, Andrew Tye, Adam Zampa, Josh Hazlewood.
Prediction
Bangladesh to win the contest and take 2-0 lead.