© AFP
Bengaluru: Australian skipper Steve Smith warned his side faced defeat in coming matches unless they improved after their thrilling three-wicket win over Bangladesh in their World T20 clash in Bangalore on Monday.
Opener Usman Khawaja hit a quick-fire half-century as Australia successfully chased down Bangladesh’s total of 156 for five, with nine balls to spare.
The victory puts Australia’s bid for a first ever World T20 trophy back on track after the top-ranked Test side lost to New Zealand in the northern hill station of Dharamsala in their opening match.
But Smith said the Australians needed to adapt better to different playing conditions if they were going to defeat Pakistan on Friday, before taking on red-hot title favourites India for a place in the semi-finals.
“We haven’t been good enough in the middle overs,” said Smith. “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. Our players have to adapt better (to different grounds),” he said.
Australian spinner Adam Zampa, who took three wickets, his first in T20 internationals, said the side had been disappointed to lose to New Zealand.
“The equation for us is pretty simple now, win every game,” Zampa, named man of the match, said, adding that he expected an equally tough battle with both Pakistan and India.
The 29-year-old Khawaja whacked seven fours and one six before he was bowled for 58 by Al-Amin Hossain in Monday’s Super 10 Group Two match.
Khawaja, born in Pakistan, and Shane Watson put on a solid 62-run opening partnership before the veteran all-rounder was run out for 21.
Spirited attack
Bangladesh’s string of bowlers mounted a spirited attack against the Aussies, after suffering a devastating blow when Taskin Ahmed and Arafat Sunny were suspended for illegal bowling actions at the weekend.
Smith was bowled for 14 by Mustafizur Rahman and David Warner was caught and bowled for 17 by Shakib Al Hasan. Glenn Maxwell was stumped for 26 off 15 balls.
James Faulkner hit the winning runs with nine balls to spare.
Bangladesh, demolished by Pakistan in their first group match, are now unlikely to qualify for the semi-finals, sitting at the bottom of their group with two matches left to play.
“Two losses in a row, but we have two matches left and we’ll see what happens,” skipper Mashrafe Mortaza said.
“Our fielding and bowling could have been better,” he added.
After Australia won the toss and elected to field, Mahmudullah top scored for the Tigers, striking an aggressive unbeaten 49, that included seven fours and one six.
Seasoned T20 campaigner Shakib also chipped in with 33 off 25 balls, as Bangladesh desperately tried to notch up their first points in the group stage.
Shakib struck three fours and one six before being caught by Nathan Coulter-Nile off Zampa for the fifth wicket.
Spinner Zampa, 23, spearheaded the Australian bowling attack with his three wickets, while Watson claimed two.
Right-hander Mohammad Mithun struck a tidy 23 off 22 balls before being caught by Watson at deep midwicket off Zampa.
Opener Soumya Sarkar was caught for one trying to slash a Watson delivery, only for Maxwell to take a strightforward catch at point.
Sabbir Rahman scored 12 off 17 balls before Faulkner took a diving catch off a Watson delivery in the sixth over at the Chinnaswamy Stadium.
Shuvagata Hom, rushed into the side as one of the replacements for Taskin and Sunny, was lbw to Zampa for 13.
Bangladesh now play India on Wednesday also in Bangalore.
Source: NDTV