Australia triumphed over Bangladesh by 28 runs (DLS method) in a rain-affected Super Eights, Group 1 match of the ICC T20 World Cup 2024 at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in North Sound, Antigua. The match, held on June 20 at 8:30 PM local time, saw significant contributions from key players, with Pat Cummins and David Warner standing out.

Australia’s captain, Mitchell Marsh, won the toss and elected to bowl first. Despite a slight delay due to a light shower, play began on time with the covers quickly removed.

Bangladesh’s innings: Shanto and Hridoy shine amidst collapse

Bangladesh struggled at the outset, losing opener Tanzid Hasan for a three-ball duck to Mitchell Starc. Litton Das followed soon after, scoring only 16 runs. However, Najmul Hossain Shanto and Towhid Hridoy provided stability. Shanto scored a steady 41 off 36 balls, including five fours and a six, while Hridoy contributed a quick 40 off 28 balls, hitting two fours and two sixes.

Wickets fell at regular intervals, preventing Bangladesh from gaining momentum. Taskin Ahmed’s late effort of 13 off 7 balls provided a brief spark, but the lack of support from the other end restricted Bangladesh to a total of 140 for 8 in 19.3 overs.

Pat Cummins claims hat-trick

Australian bowlers executed a disciplined performance, with Pat Cummins leading the way by taking the first hat-trick of the ICC T20 World Cup 2024. Cummins ended with figures of 3-29 from his four overs, becoming the second Australian, after Brett Lee, to achieve a hat-trick in T20 World Cups and the seventh overall in the tournament’s history. Cummins’ hat-trick wickets included Mahmudullah, Mahedi Hasan, and Towhid Hridoy, significantly denting Bangladesh’s innings.

Adam Zampa also played a crucial role, claiming two wickets and keeping the Bangladesh batters in check.

Australia’s chase: Warner and Head lead the way

In response, Australia aimed to chase down the target of 141 runs. David Warner and Travis Head provided a solid start, with Warner scoring an unbeaten half-century. The pair added 59 runs in the powerplay, ensuring Australia stayed ahead of the required run rate.

Despite Rishad Hossain’s two wickets giving Bangladesh some hope, Warner’s composed fifty and contributions from Glenn Maxwell kept Australia in control. Australia was at 100 for 2 when rain halted play for the fourth and final time, leading to a DLS method victory by 28 runs.

The rain-affected match ended with Australia securing a crucial victory in the Super Eights, joining India at the top of Group 1. Pat Cummins’ hat-trick and David Warner’s unbeaten half-century were the standout performances, showcasing Australia’s depth and resilience in the T20 format.

See Also: T20 World Cup 2024, Super Eight: Bumrah, Arshdeep, Kuldeep seal the win for India by 47 runs against Afghanistan – Cricket Winner

Player of the Match: Pat Cummins

Player of the Match, Pat Cummins – I had no idea (on the hat-trick), then saw when it came up on the screen. Set batter in, playing the innings, you never know how it’ll go about, so that was a big wicket (on Hridoy’s wicket) and happy to have restricted them. Few (hat-tricks) in juniors, never for Australia. Agar and Ellis, on the bench, have hat-tricks, joined their club. It’s pretty awesome to tick that off. Good club to be part of. Fairly polished performance, the goal was to win and we did well with the run-rate, we’ll need to continue with the momentum going ahead in the Super 8s

Australia’s longest winning streaks in T20Is
8* – February 2024 to June 2024
8 – November 2021 to February 2022
6 – May 2010 (T20 WC)
6 – October 2017 to February 2018
6 – October 2022 to September 2023

Mitchell Starc is now the HIGHEST wicket taker in World Cups (ODI/T20I)

95 – MITCHELL STARC🇦🇺
94 – Lasith Malinga🇱🇰
92 – Shakib Al Hasan🇧🇩
87 – Trent Boult🇳🇿
79 – Muttiah Muralidaran

Most consecutive wins in T20 WC
8* – Australia (2022-2024)
7 – England (2010-2012)
7 – India (2012-2014)
6 – Australia (2010)
6 – Sri Lanka (2009)
6 – India (2007-2009)