Australia registered their first win of the Super Eight round in the 2024 T20 World Cup by defeating Bangladesh in a one-sided match at Antigua’s Sir Vivian Richards Stadium. This victory is crucial for Australia as they aim to advance to the knockout stages of the tournament.

Early breakthrough by Mitchell Starc

The match started with a bang as Mitchell Starc, Australia’s fearsome fast bowler, cannoned through the defenses of Bangladesh opener Tanzid Hasan on just the third ball of the match. This early breakthrough set the tone for Australia’s dominant bowling performance, putting immediate pressure on the Bangladeshi batters.

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Bangladesh’s recovery effort

Despite the early setback, Bangladesh showed resilience through a solid partnership between Litton Das and captain Najmul Hossain Shanto. The duo shared a 58-run stand, counterattacking the Australian bowlers and stabilizing the innings. Litton Das played some exquisite shots, while Shanto provided the needed support at the other end.

Adam Zampa and Glenn Maxwell’s counterattack

Just as Bangladesh looked to build momentum, Australian ace spinner Adam Zampa struck back by removing both well-set batters, Litton Das and Najmul Hossain Shanto. Glenn Maxwell also chipped in, dismissing Rishad Hossain during his brief two-over spell, reducing Bangladesh to 84-4 in 13 overs. These crucial wickets halted Bangladesh’s recovery and shifted the momentum back to Australia.

Pat Cummins’ Hat-Trick

The highlight of the match was undoubtedly Pat Cummins’ sensational hat-trick. Keeping a lid on Bangladesh’s scoring at the death, Cummins dismissed Mahmudullah, Mahedi Hasan, and Towhid Hridoy in successive deliveries. This remarkable feat not only restricted Bangladesh to 140-8 but also marked the first hat-trick of the tournament and the seventh in T20 World Cup history.

Bangladesh’s final score

Bangladesh ended their innings at 140-8, a score that seemed competitive but fell short of challenging Australia’s strong batting lineup. Despite efforts from Litton Das and Shanto, Bangladesh struggled to build partnerships after the initial breakthroughs, highlighting their reliance on a few key players.

Australia’s Dominant Start

Australia’s response was aggressive from the get-go. Openers David Warner and Travis Head came out all guns blazing, taking 59 runs off the first six overs. Their aggressive approach put Bangladesh on the back foot, setting a solid foundation for the chase.

Rishad Hossain’s Double Strike

Bangladesh had a glimmer of hope when leg-spinner Rishad Hossain struck twice, dismissing Travis Head and Mitchell Marsh. Head lost his off-stump to a beauty from Rishad, and Marsh fell soon after, leaving Australia at 69-2. These wickets gave Bangladesh a chance to claw back into the game.

David Warner’s Unbeaten Half-Century

David Warner, however, remained undeterred. He continued to attack and scored an unbeaten 53 off 35 balls, registering his 28th half-century in T20Is. Warner’s composed yet aggressive innings ensured that Australia remained on track despite the interruptions.

Rain Interruptions and DLS Method

The match saw interruptions due to rain, which eventually led to the implementation of the DLS (Duckworth-Lewis-Stern) method. Rain curtailed Australia’s innings at 100-2 in 11.2 overs, making the match shorter and adding to the drama.

Australia’s Victory by DLS Method

According to the DLS method, Australia was declared the winners by 28 runs. This victory was significant as it marked their first win in the Super Eight round, boosting their confidence and position in the tournament.