Australia complete 3-0 T20I sweep of Bangladesh (Image: X)
Australia wrapped up a 3-0 T20I series sweep over Bangladesh with a crushing seven-wicket win in the third and final match at the Bir Shreshthu Flying Lieutenant Matiur Rahman Stadium in Chattogram on Saturday.After choosing to bat first, Bangladesh suffered another disappointing outing with the bat and could only make 109/8 in their allotted 20 overs. Australia then made light work of the chase, reaching 112/3 in just 11 overs and claiming victory by 54 balls.The visitors set the tone early with the ball as Spencer Johnson and Nathan Ellis tore apart the Bangladesh top order. Johnson was particularly impressive, returning impressive figures of 2/6 from four overs, while Ellis scored 2/21.
Adam Zampa tightened the noose in the middle overs, claiming 2/22 and bowling his first over as Bangladesh struggled to build any momentum.At 42/5, the hosts looked on course for a lower total before stand-in captain Tawhid Hridoy mounted a lone act of resistance. The right-hander batted mightily for 61 off 51 balls, hitting three sixes and holding the innings together as wickets continued to tumble around him.
Without Hridoy’s contribution, Bangladesh’s total could have been much more modest.
Chasing a modest target, Australia came out with aggressive intent led by captain Mitchell Marsh. The skipper dominated the power play and dismantled the Bangladesh attack with 60 runs off just 28 deliveries. His innings included seven fours and four sixes as he raced to a 23-ball half-century, putting the contest beyond Bangladesh’s reach.Josh Inglis contributed 17 points at the top before Marsh’s departure gave the hosts brief hope. However, Cooper Connolly and Tim David ensured there were no late hiccups, leading Australia comfortably across the finish line. David added the finishing touches with two towering sixes as the tourists completed the chase in emphatic fashion.The clean sweep was a strong response from Australia after their shock defeat in the ODI series earlier in the tour.