Australia vs Bangladesh – June 21, 2024 | Australia secured a crucial victory against Bangladesh in a rain-affected Super Eight clash at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in Antigua. This eventful match featured a hat-trick by Pat Cummins, a quickfire fifty, and was decided by the DLS method.
Match Summary | Australia vs Bangladesh
- Venue: Sir Vivian Richards Stadium, North Sound, Antigua
- Toss and Decision: Australia won the toss and elected to field first.
- Top Performers:
- Batting: David Warner (AUS) and Towhid Hridoy (BAN)
- Bowling: Pat Cummins (AUS) and Rishad Hossain (BAN)
First Innings (Bangladesh Batting)
- Bangladesh (BAN) scored 140 runs for 8 wickets in their allotted 20 overs.
- Notable performances:
- Najmul Shanto: 41 runs (36 balls, 5 fours, 1 six)
- Towhid Hridoy: 40 runs (28 balls, 2 fours, 2 sixes)
- Pat Cummins (AUS) was the standout bowler, taking 3 wickets for 29 runs in his 4 overs.
Second Innings (Australia Batting)
- Australia (AUS) chased down the target, scoring 100 runs for 2 wickets in just 11.2 overs.
- Key contributions:
- David Warner: 53 runs (35 balls, 5 fours, 3 sixes)
- Travis Head: 31 runs (21 balls, 3 fours, 2 sixes)
Match Overview
Australia, one of the tournament favorites, strengthened their position in the knockout stages with a comprehensive performance against Bangladesh. Despite rain interruptions, Australia managed to outshine Bangladesh both with the bat and ball, ultimately winning by 28 runs via the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern (DLS) Method.
Australia’s Dominant Bowling Display
Australia started strong with Mitchell Starc claiming an early wicket, surpassing Lasith Malinga’s record for the most wickets in Men’s World Cups. However, Bangladesh, led by Liton Das and captain Najmul Hossain Shanto, recovered well in the early overs. Shanto’s aggressive batting kept Bangladesh competitive, but Adam Zampa’s spin broke the partnership by dismissing Das.
Pat Cummins’ Hat-Trick Heroics
The highlight of the match was Pat Cummins’ exceptional bowling performance. Cummins made history by becoming only the second Australian and seventh overall to take a hat-trick in a Men’s T20 World Cup match. His hat-trick, which included the crucial wicket of Towhid Hridoy, tilted the match firmly in Australia’s favor. Cummins finished with figures of 3/29, showcasing his skill and precision under pressure.
Bangladesh’s Batting Effort
Bangladesh struggled to capitalize on their strong start, losing wickets at regular intervals. Despite contributions from Shanto and Hridoy, they managed to post a total of 140/8 in their allotted overs. The rain interruptions further hampered their momentum, preventing them from building substantial partnerships towards the end of their innings.
Australia’s Chase and DLS Method Victory
Chasing a revised target due to rain delays, Australia’s openers, David Warner and Travis Head, started aggressively. They dominated the Bangladesh bowlers, with both batsmen scoring at a brisk pace. Warner and Head set the foundation with a solid opening partnership, guiding Australia to a commanding position before Head’s dismissal slowed their progress momentarily.
Glenn Maxwell’s Impactful Innings
Glenn Maxwell’s arrival proved pivotal for Australia as he partnered with Warner to accelerate the run rate. Maxwell’s aggressive stroke play ensured Australia remained ahead of the required rate despite intermittent rain interruptions. His partnership with Warner effectively sealed the victory for Australia before rain finally forced the match to be abandoned.
Detailed Scorecard | Australia vs Bangladesh
Bangladesh Innings:
- Liton Das: 18 (15 balls)
- Najmul Hossain Shanto (c): 41 (36 balls)
- Towhid Hridoy: 40 (28 balls)
- Rishad Hossain: 5 (4 balls)
- Extras: 36
- Total: 140/8 in 20 overs
Australia Bowling:
- Mitchell Starc: 1/25 (4 overs)
- Josh Hazlewood: 0/29 (4 overs)
- Adam Zampa: 2/25 (4 overs)
- Pat Cummins: 3/29 (4 overs)
- Ashton Agar: 0/28 (3 overs)
Australia Innings:
- David Warner: 63* (42 balls)
- Travis Head: 31 (21 balls)
- Glenn Maxwell: 38* (18 balls)
- Marcus Stoinis: 5* (4 balls)
- Extras: 14
- Total: 151/1 in 16 overs
Conclusion | Australia vs Bangladesh
With this win, Australia strengthened their position in Group 1 of the Super Eight stage. They now stand alongside India as strong contenders for the knockout stages of the T20 World Cup. Bangladesh, on the other hand, faces an uphill task to qualify, needing victories against India and Afghanistan in their remaining matches.
Looking Ahead
As the T20 World Cup progresses, Australia will aim to maintain their winning momentum in upcoming matches against Afghanistan and India. The performance of players like Pat Cummins and Glenn Maxwell will be crucial as they seek to secure a spot in the semifinals and ultimately compete for the championship title.
