Australia have clinched the series with a match to spare after beating Bangladesh by seven runs in a high-scoring encounter in Chattogram.
Chasing 197 for victory, Bangladesh needed 34 runs from the last two overs. Nathan Ellis conceded just 11 runs in the 19th over, leaving the hosts with 23 runs required off the final six balls. Despite a strong effort with two boundaries in the last over, Towhid Hridoy and Saklain could not complete the chase.
Australia posted 196 for 5 in their 20 overs after winning the toss and batting first. Matthew Renshaw top-scored with 89 runs, guiding the visitors to a strong total. In reply, Bangladesh managed 189 for 6 in their allotted overs.
Bangladesh started the chase brightly with openers Tanzid Tamim and Saif Hasan playing aggressive strokes. The pair put on 48 runs before Tamim was dismissed for 30 off 15 balls. Soumya Sarkar also failed to make a significant contribution, scoring 15 off 9 deliveries.
Saif and Parvez Hossain Emon then rebuilt the innings with another solid partnership, but Bangladesh lost momentum after Emon’s dismissal for 36 off 22 balls. Saif followed soon after, departing for 42 runs.
The lower middle order failed to deliver, leaving Bangladesh struggling in the final phase. Towhid Hridoy’s unbeaten 35 runs reduced the margin of defeat but could not change the outcome.
Earlier, Australia lost opener Josh Inglis early, but Matt Renshaw and Tim David steadied the innings with a 97-run partnership. Renshaw remained unbeaten as Australia reached a competitive total.
For Bangladesh, Nasum Ahmed was the pick of the bowlers with two wickets for 27 runs, while Nahid Rana, Saklain and Mustafizur Rahman took one wicket each.
Bd-Pratidin English/ AM
