Zampa finished with figures of 3-23 off his four overs
Image courtesy of: Zimbio
Adam Zampa took three wickets and Usman Khawaja smashed a superb 58 in Australia’s unconvincing three-wicket win over Bangladesh in Bangalore.
Opting to bowl first, Australia kept Bangladesh on the back foot for a majority of their innings as Zampa and Shane Watson took out the top and middle order.
However, Mahmudullah starred towards the end of the innings as he smashed an unbeaten 49, which came off 29 balls and included seven boundaries and a six, to lead Bangladesh to 156/5 off their 20 overs.
Zampa was the pick of the bowlers with three wickets, while Watson snapped up two.
Chasing 157 to win, Australia got off to a fantastic start as Khawaja and Watson amassed a 62-run partnership before Watson was run out by Sabbir Rahman for 21.
Australia skipper Steven Smith fell soon after for 14 before Khawaja was dismissed for 58 off 45 balls, which included seven boundaries and a six.
Khawaja scored his maiden Twenty20 International fifty
Image courtesy of: Zimbio
Once Khawaja was back in the pavilion, the Baggy Greens began to collapse as they went from 115/3 to 152/7. Despite the flurry of wickets, Australia managed to reach their target with nine balls to spare.
Shakib Al Hasan was the most successful bowler with three wickets, while Mustafizur Rahman got two and Al-Amin Hossain claimed one.
Bangladesh captain Mashrafe Mortaza was gutted to have lost, and said: “First six overs was crucial, we knew this ground was high-scoring. Our fielding and bowling could have been better. Mahmudullah played really well, Mithun and Shakib too. Two losses in a row, but we have two matches left and we’ll see what happens.”
Smith was relieved to have emerged victorious, and said: “Don’t know about that, we made it difficult at the end and Bangladesh bowled quite well in the middle overs. It was about the top four going on and getting a not out and making it more clinical. We haven’t been good enough in the middle overs. We’ve had a bit of travel, but it’s not an excuse. Pakistan and India play well in these conditions and we have to do better. They’re different, the pitches weren’t like this in the IPL. Our players have to adapt better.”
Zampa was named Man of the Match, and said: “Nice to make a bit of a difference. After a disappointing loss to New Zealand, nice to get the the tournament rolling. Playing in the BBL, 80,000 people, I’m used to it. I’ve played three or four games here now, its a learning curve. Just getting used to the length and the pace and to different players and their areas. We’ve had a bit of travel, off to Mohali now and we’ll be there for a week, that’ll be nice.”