Australia played some good cricket to defeat Bangladesh at Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru by three wickets, Monday. Australia chased Bangladesh's score of 156 runs in 18.3 overs to clinch their first win of the 2016 World T20.
Australia, chasing such a score, were required to start well, and their openers – Usman Khawaja and Shane Watson – looked top class as they scored at a healthy rate against the Bangladesh bowlers. Australia lost their first wicket of Shane Watson, who scored 15-bal 21, with their team total reading 62 runs.
However, it was Usman Khawaja's innings, which played an important role in providing a perfect base for Australia win. The left-hander scored 45-ball 58, which comprised seven fours and one six.
Though Australia lost the wicket of Khawaja and David Warner in quick succession, Glenn Maxwell took the attack to the opposition, hitting two fours and two sixes in his 15-ball 26, which inched them closer to victory.
James Faulkner won the game for Australia with a boundary in the off-side in the 19th over.
Earlier, Bangladesh did not start their innings well, losing their first wicket of Soumya Sarkar in the second over. Things did not look good for Bangladesh, who lost another important wicket of Sabbir Rahman in the sixth over, but Shakib-Al Hasan played an important role with the bat, scoring 25-ball 33.
Shakib was involved in a decent partnership with Mohammad Mithun, which helped them steady Bangladesh innings. Mithun scored 22-ball 23 while Shakib played a good hand with 33 runs from 25 balls.
However, it was Mahmudullah, who played a brilliant knock, scoring 29-ball 49, which played an integral role in Bangladesh scoring 156 runs from their allotted 20 overs. His innings comprised seven fours and a wonderful six. Adam Zampa was the pick of the bowler for Australia, picking up three wickets.
With this win, Australia, who lost to New Zealand in their opening game, have come back into the tournament and will push for a semifinals spot of the World T20.
