Bangladesh overcame adversity to win the second T20 International against Australia by five wickets and take a 2-0 lead in the five-match series at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium today.
Bangladesh were left in a hazardous 67-5 position while chasing 122 runs, but Afif Hossain and Nurul Hasan Sohan put on an unbeaten sixth-wicket stand of 56 off 44 to help the side sail home with eight balls remaining.
Both of the young players showed their bravery in the crucial moments to surprise the Australians.
Afif Hossain was unbeaten on 37 off 31, hitting five fours and one six, and closed the game with a boundary past the third man. Nurul Hasan’s number was 22. Before snatching victory from the jaws of loss, Australian bowlers ruled the game.
In the fourth over, Mitchell Starc and his new-ball partner Josh Hazlewood removed Bangladesh’s openers Soumya Sarkar and Mohammad Naim, keeping Australia’s hopes of tying the series alive.
Shakib Al Hasan, on the other hand, smacked three boundaries in a row to relieve the pressure on Starc. Bangladesh appeared to be on track for an easy win because to Shakib’s aggressive performance.
Australia, on the other hand, appeared to be resolute. With a slower delivery, Andrew Tye undone Shakib (26) and helped the side claw back into the contest.
When left-arm spinner Ashton Agar dismissed skipper Mahmudullah for 0 and leg-spinner Adam Zampa dismissed Mahedi Hasan for 23, the Australians had a tight grip on the match.
Afif and Hasan, on the other hand, played with care and aggression to keep Australia from winning.
Fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman had earlier taken three wickets for 23 runs as Australia were reduced to 121-7.
The third match will take place on Friday.
