Chattogram: Adam Zamba’s three wickets combined with Cooper Connolly’s batting effort helped Australia to a four-wicket victory over Bangladesh in the first T20I at the Pir Shreshto Flt Lt. Mathiur Rahman Stadium on Wednesday.
Bangladesh suffered an early setback when Liton Das was ruled out with a muscle tear while batting during the third ODI in Dhaka earlier this week.
Batting first, the hosts, led by stand-in captain Towhid Hridoy, were bowled out for 131 in 19 overs as Australia’s spinners dominated a disciplined and aggressive game.
Mahedi Hasan remained unbeaten on 29 off 22 balls, hitting 4 fours and was the top scorer for Bangladesh. Opener Saif Haasan scored 20 runs off 14 balls including 3 fours.
Sowmiya Sarkar added 17 off 18 balls, while Tansid Hasan, Parvez Hossain Eman and Abdul Ghaffar Saqlain scored 10 each as Bangladesh struggled to form partnerships.
Adam Jamba and Joel Davies took 3 wickets each for Australia. Matt Renshaw took 2 wickets, while Spencer Johnson and debutant Nikhil Chaudhary took one each.
In reply, Australia chased down a target of 132 for 6 in 18.2 overs, with Cooper Connolly scoring a fluent 47 off 27 balls with 4 fours and 3 sixes.
Tim David added 20 off 16 balls with 2 sixes, while Matt Renshaw and Nikhil Chaudhary scored 18 each to take the visitors home.
For Bangladesh, Abdul Ghaffar Saqlain returned with 2/32 in 3.2 overs. Rishad Hossain, Mahedi Hasan, Mustafizur Rahman and Shoribul Islam took one wicket each.
The second T20 match of the series will also be held at the same ground on Friday.