Australia’s spinners produced a dominant display to secure a four-wicket victory over Bangladesh in the opening T20I in Chattogram and hand the visitors a 1-0 lead in the series.
The spin trio combined to claim nine wickets, marking the first time Australia’s spinners have taken nine wickets in a T20I innings. Leg-spinner Adam Zampa reached another milestone during the match, becoming the first Australian bowler to claim 150 T20I wickets. Debutant left-arm spinner Joel Davies also enjoyed a memorable start to his international career, finishing with three wickets on debut.
The achievement was also significant in Bangladesh, as it was the first occasion that spinners collectively accounted for nine wickets in a T20I innings in the country. Zampa became only the fifth leg-spinner to reach 150 T20I wickets, joining Rashid Khan, Ish Sodhi, Adil Rashid and Wanindu Hasaranga.
Chasing 132, Australia completed the task with ten balls remaining. Cooper Connolly led the way with 47 from 27 deliveries, his highest score in T20I cricket, while Tim David contributed a quick-fire 20. However, the visitors’ bowling effort remained the defining feature of the contest.
Bangladesh Make Bright Start
Bangladesh began positively during the Powerplay. Saif Hassan struck Spencer Johnson for a boundary in the opening over, while Xavier Bartlett was also driven for two fours. Johnson responded by removing Tanzid Hasan, who picked out Bartlett at extra cover.
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Saif continued the early momentum with another boundary off Matt Renshaw before attempting an aggressive shot that resulted in a straightforward catch for Mitchell Marsh at mid-off. Stand-in captain Towhid Hridoy and returning batter Soumya Sarkar added boundaries of their own as Bangladesh reached 52 for 2 in the first six overs, their highest Powerplay score against Australia in T20Is.
Spin Trio Turns the Match
The game shifted after the introduction of spin. Zampa struck in the seventh over when Hridoy was bowled by a googly. In his following over, Soumya miscued a shot to deep cover, where debutant Nikhil Chaudhary completed the catch.
Davies made an immediate impact with his second ball in international cricket, dismissing Parvez Hossain Emon after a top-edged slog sweep was safely caught by Connolly near the boundary. Renshaw then removed Shamim Hossain before Davies claimed the wicket of fellow debutant Abdul Gaffar Saqlain.
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Chaudhary also played a role in the field, taking catches to dismiss both Saqlain and Rishad Hossain. Zampa and Davies then wrapped up the lower order despite a late unbeaten 29 from Mahedi Hasan. Bangladesh were eventually bowled out for 131.
Connolly Leads the Chase
Australia’s pursuit began with an early setback when Shoriful Islam dismissed Josh Inglis for five. Connolly quickly countered, striking three consecutive boundaries off Shoriful in the same over.
Mustafizur Rahman then removed captain Mitchell Marsh for 13, but Connolly continued to find the boundary regularly. Tim David announced himself with a towering 98-metre six off Mahedi Hasan, while Connolly attacked both Saqlain and Rishad Hossain to keep Australia in control.
Visitors Cruise Home Despite Late Wickets
Saqlain eventually ended Connolly’s innings in the tenth over, with the opener falling for 47 after hitting seven boundaries, including three sixes. David added further momentum with another straight six before being dismissed for 20 from 16 balls.
Rishad later removed Chaudhary for 18, while Saqlain picked up a second wicket by dismissing Renshaw for 18 when Australia were closing in on victory. With only a handful of runs required, Bartlett struck a boundary off the next delivery to complete the chase and seal a win for Australia.
