Throughout the ICC World Twenty20 Bangladesh’s key word was “could not finish it well” and they failed to get out of the loop and conceded a seven-wicket defeat to Australia to end their journey at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium yesterday.
Opting to bat first Bangladesh’s 153 for five was not enough to stop Australia who notched up their consolation win by scoring 158 for three with 15 balls to spare. After losing to India, Pakistan and West Indies, Australia was left containing the sigh of distress and ruing the lost opportunities.
The power packed Aussie opening duo - Aaron Finch and David Warner - blasted 98 for the 1st wicket laying the foundation for an easy win. Warner on 48 was fortunate to survive a caught behind call in the 11th over bowled by Sohag Gazi as umpire Kumar Dharmasena failed to pick the snick.
However, the left-handed was not able add any more run and was bowled by Al Amin in the following over. Man of the match Finch continued to dominate and took his side closer to victory with his second fifty of the tournament. He made 71 off 45 balls with seven fours and four sixes.
Debutant Taskin Ahmed added some anxiety in the Aussie tent by sending Glenn Maxwell back for 5 but it was too late. Cameron White was not out on 18 when skipper George Bailey (11) lofted Al Amin over long off for a six and land the win in style.
Earlier, Shakib al Hasan and Mushfiqur Rahim’s 112-run third wicket partnership, the 3rd highest for Bangladesh in the T20I circuit, helped the home side to put up their highest total in the tournament. The left-right combination duly exploited the Aussie attack that relied on the quickies in a batting favoured pitch. With part-timer Glenn Maxwell the only spinner in the side, Shakib and Mushfiq held their grounds to execute their array of shots.
It should be mentioned that Shakib and Mushfiq began their journey on a disastrous note with Bangladesh struggling on 12 for two after the two openers Anamul Haque and Tamim Iqbal departed playing trademark overambitious and reckless shots.
Not been able to get off the mark in five balls, Anamul lost his nerve and ran down the wicket attempting to hit Nathan Coulter-Nile out of the park only managing an edged to Shane Watson at first slip. Tamim just succeeded to hole out to Doug Bollinger at mid-on giving Coulter-Nile his second wicket in the game.
Shakib announced his arrival with a superb six off Bollinger pulled over the long-on and the ace all-rounder exhibited his versatility to deal with the short deliveries as well as the attempted yorkers.
Mushfiq also rose on the occasion and continued to frustrate the Aussie bowlers by keeping his head down and supporting Shakib. Mushfiq mixed his strokes with power and subtle touches, but missed out on a fifty as his slog-sweep landed safely at the hands of Maxwell at deep midwicket off Watson. The captain’s 47 from 36 balls was decorated by five fours and one six.
Shakib was soon to follow his skipper after completing his 4th T20 fifty. His superb innings however ended with a terrific effort from Maxwell who dived forward at midwicket to pouch on to a dying ball. The south paw made 66 runs off 52 balls with five fours and three maximums.
The Aussie bowlers imposed the brakes on the runs as the lack of set batsmen in the middle cost the hosts in the eventual overs. Mahmudullah (six) and Nasir (14) added 20 runs off the remaining 15 balls before the latter was cleaned up in the final delivery of their 20 overs.