Australia beat Bangladesh by three wickets in their second Super 10 stage match of the World Cup Twenty20 at Bangaluru on Monday.
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Skipper Steve Smith’s side chased down Bangladesh’s total of 156 for five in 18.3 overs after winning the toss and electing to field first.
Australia got off the mark at the World Twenty20 against Bangladesh as Usman Khawaja powered his way to a maiden T20I fifty. He first had Soumya Sarkar (1) caught at point and then claimed Sabbir Rahman (12).
For Bangladesh, there are three changes.
Adam Zampa was adjudged the man of the match.
Mahmudullah finished unbeaten on 49 and he and Mushfiqur Rahim took a liking to Watson and James Faulkner, in an unbroken half-century stand – yet even 44 off the last three overs was not enough.
Starting the chase, the Australian openers made light of the work as they posted a decent 62 runs for the opening wicket. Zampa and Watson were the only wicket-takers for Australia.
Khawaja was the aggressor of the pair as he smashed five boundaries and a six in the powerplay while Watson hit two fours and was also handed a reprieve by Mithun at midwicket.
Mahmudullah tilted the momentum in Bangladesh’s favour, the right-hander prospering even after Shakib Al Hasan (33) had departed, finding particular success with the square drive as he hit seven fours and one maximum.
Despite Australia being well up with the required run-rate, the nervy batting continued as Mitchell Marsh and Hastings fell cheaply, either side of the wicket of Glenn Maxwell – who appeared to be taking his side home with a quick-fire 26 off 15. They were replaced in the squad and the XI by left-arm spinner Saqlain Sajib and offspinning allrounder Shuvagata Hom, both of whom only joined the team on Sunday night.
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Australia is third in Group 2 with one victory and one defeat by eight runs to New Zealand.
