Australia thrashed Bangladesh by 28 runs (DLS method) to seize two pivotal points in the Super Eight Round clash of the T20 World Cup 2024 at Sir Vivian Richards Stadium, Antigua, on Thursday. Opting to bat first, Bangladesh scored 140/8 in 20 overs. In reply, Australia reached 100/2 in 11.2 overs when inclement weather stopped play. With Australia 28 runs ahead in DLS method, Mitchell Marsh and Co. were declared the winner.
Bangladesh’s innings started poorly, losing Tanzid Hasan for a 3-ball duck in the first over. Litton Das (16 off 25) struggled, looking lethargic at the crease. Najmul Hossain Shanto (41 off 36) and Towhid Hridoy (40 off 28) navigated Australia’s formidable bowling, but the other batters faltered, losing wickets consistently in the latter half. Taskin Ahmed’s unbeaten 13 off 7 balls elevated Bangladesh’s total to 140/8 in 20 overs.
Pat Cummins (3/29) and Adam Zampa (2/24) excelled with the ball for Australia. Mitchell Starc (1/21), Marcus Stoinis (1/24), and Glenn Maxwell (1/14) also made significant contributions.
David Warner (53* off 35) and Travis Head (31 off 21) began confidently, forging a solid 65-run partnership for the first wicket. Rain briefly interrupted in the seventh over. Post the rain break, Rishad Hossain dismissed Head and Mitchell Marsh (1 off 6) swiftly. Glenn Maxwell (14* off 6) looked promising before rain intervened again in the 12th over, leading to the game’s conclusion.
Bangladesh’s bowlers struggled initially, with Rishad Hossain (2/23) being the lone standout performer.
Key Moments of the Match:
Starc Strikes Early
Mitchell Starc, renowned for his new ball prowess, was too formidable for Bangladeshi opener Tanzid Hasan. An away-swinging delivery on the off-stump deceived Tanzid, shattering the stumps. Bangladesh lost their first wicket in the opening over without scoring.
Cummins’ Hat-Trick
Pat Cummins dismissed Mahmudullah (2 off 3) and Mahedi Hasan (0 off 1) in consecutive deliveries at the end of the 18th over, setting up a hat-trick. He returned for the final over and trapped Towhid Hridoy (40 off 28) on the first ball, securing the first hat-trick of the T20 World Cup 2024. Cummins became the second Australian bowler to achieve this feat in a Men’s T20 World Cup, after Brett Lee, who did so against the same opponent in the inaugural edition. 
Warner-Head Lay a Strong Foundation
Australian openers Warner and Head, both left-handers, initially played cautiously before accelerating. They capitalized on loose deliveries, adding 65 runs for the first wicket, providing a robust platform for subsequent batsmen.
Rishad Hossain Strikes Post-Rain Break
Rishad Hossain, introduced immediately after the powerplay, saw his over interrupted by rain after just two balls, delaying play for over 20 minutes. The break worked in Rishad’s favour as he dismissed Head with a flighted leg break. He then trapped Australian captain Mitchell Marsh in his second over, giving Bangladesh two quick breakthroughs.
Bangladesh now faces a must-win scenario, needing victories in their remaining Super Eight matches to progress to the semifinals. They will clash with India at Sir Vivian Richards Stadium, North Sound, Antigua, on June 22. Parimatch odds for Bangladesh in this fixture are 6.66x.
Conversely, Australia will play against Afghanistan at Arnos Vale Ground, Kingstown, St. Vincent, on June 22. Parimatch odds for Australia in this match stand at 1.21x.
