Khairul Alam From Chattogram Stadium — Fresh off a confidence-boosting ODI series win, Bangladesh entered the three-match T20I series against Australia with high hopes.
However, a change in format brought a drastic slump in performance. After losing the series with a match to spare due to consistent batting failures, the hosts faced the daunting challenge of avoiding a whitewash in the final game.
Unfortunately, the red-and-green jersey holders crumbled yet again, suffering a humiliating 3-0 series sweep.
On Sunday (June 21), Australia cruised to a commanding 7-wicket victory with 54 balls to spare in the third and final T20I at the Birshreshtha Shahid Flight Lieutenant Matiur Rahman Stadium in Chittagong.
Earlier, opting to bat first after winning the toss, Bangladesh’s batting lineup looked like a procession of batsmen walking to and from the crease.
Aside from captain Towhid Hridoy, no one could withstand the Australian bowling attack. Fighting a lonely battle to anchor one end, Hridoy’s resilient 61 runs guided Bangladesh past the 100-mark.
Without his knock, the hosts risked an even more embarrassing, double-digit collapse. Bangladesh eventually scraped together 109 for 8 in their allotted 20 overs.
In response, Australia chased down the target effortlessly, reaching the destination in just 11 overs while losing 3 wickets.
Chasing a modest target, Australia went on the attack right from the start. Opener Mitchell Marsh single-handedly took the game away from Bangladesh, blasting a fiery 60 runs off just 28 balls.
For Bangladesh, Shoriful Islam, Nasum Ahmed, and Rishad Hossain claimed one wicket each.
The match began in disastrous fashion for Bangladesh. Opening batsman Tanzid Hasan Tamim was run out in the second over, and Saif Hassan followed him back to the pavilion in the exact same over.
Parvez Hossain Emon, coming in at number three, struggled heavily, scoring just 1 run off 13 balls.
At the end of the Powerplay, Bangladesh was reeling at 22 for 3. The middle order offered no salvation, as neither Nurul Hasan Sohan nor Shamim Hossain could stabilize the innings. Shamim was dismissed for a duck.
With the team languishing at 36 for 5, skipper Hridoy took charge. His unbeaten 61 off 51 balls pushed the team’s total into triple figures.
Rishad Hossain tried to offer some brief support, but his stay was short-lived, returning to the dugout for 16 after giving a return catch to Nikhil Chaudhary.
For Australia, Spencer Johnson was the pick of the bowlers, registering brilliant figures of 2 for 6 in his 4 overs.
Nathan Ellis and Adam Zampa also bagged two wickets each, while Nikhil Chaudhary picked up one.