Australia are in grave danger of losing a fifth successive T20 international series after going 2-0 down in the five-match series against Bangladesh following another poor batting effort in Dhaka which saw them beaten by five wickets.
Chasing Australia’s score of 7-121, Bangladesh lost wickets at regular intervals and slumped to 5-67 in the 12th over in Wednesday’s second international.
But an unbroken sixth-wicket stand of 56 between Afif Hossain (37 off 31 balls) and Nurul Hasan (22 off 21) secured the home side a comfortable win with eight balls to spare.
Australia have now lost seven of their last eight and 13 of their last 18 T20I games and once again it was their brittle batting which was the biggest problem.
Mitchell Marsh (45 off 42) top scored for Australia for the second straight day, equalling his total from the first match.
But again he lacked support with only Moises Henriques (30 off 25) hanging around for long in a third-wicket stand of 57, which took the score to 2-88.
That was as good as it got for Australia, who lost 5-18 with some poor shots against an attack which mixed their pace up well.
Australia needed early wickets and new ball bowlers Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood each bowled one of the openers in their second overs to leave Bangladesh 2-21 in the fourth.
Mahedi Hasan (23 off 24 and Shakib Al Hasan (26 off 17) added 37 for the third wicket, before Australia’s bowlers again hit the stumps in successive overs.
Al Hasan was bowled by AJ Tye and captain Mahmudullah had his stumps disturbed by Agar before scoring.
Mahedi Hasan came close to being caught twice before he scored five but lofted shots off spinner Ashton Agar dropped just short of the fielder on each occasion.
He continued to challenge the bowlers but took one risk too many and was stumped off legspinner Adam Zampa, leaving Bangladesh at 5-67 in the 12th over.
The Australians had two successful LBW appeals overturned on review.
While batting, they also went 24 balls without a boundary near the end of the innings.
After the spinners did most of the damage in Game 1, it was Bangladesh’s two left arm quicks Mustafizur Rahman (3-23) and Shoriful Islam (2-27) who enjoyed most success.
Tigerbill44
Roar Guru
Toss has been delayed. But there is plenty of blue sky around. So I am optimistic.
maverick
Roar Rookie
Tye cnoceded over 9 runs per over even in these bowling friendly condition. He has a career economy of 9 and has cost Australia plenty of matches. Carey's odi form has nothing to do with his awful t20 numbers. And Wade averages 20 in every format for a reason. Check his record in Asia, it's horrendous.
The Bush
Roar Guru
What do people expect, this tour would have been challenging for a our actual team, but instead we've got at best a 2nd XI, and that's being kind to the batting. The teams missing at least Warner, Maxwell, Finch (the three key batters), Smith, Cummins and you'd possibly say Labuschagne too. That's not even getting into other likely contenders such as Stoinis. The only guys in this line up that would actually make the team guaranteed are Agar, Zampa and Starc, with Hazlewood a likely and Marsh too. I know Bangladesh are missing some players as well, but they're at home and not missing anywhere near as many.
The Bush
Roar Guru
Pretty sure the players are vaccinated now. The advice changes as the situation evolves.
Reddy
Roar Rookie
Bangladesh are a good t20 and odi side, who are capable of beating any one on their day. Australia priotise test cricket so I'm not surprised this is occurring.
Jeff
Roar Rookie
"Humbled" is a stretch. Bangladesh got there with 8 balls to spare. Unless there is an arrogance associated to losing to Bangladesh who are a good and professional cricket team. In which case it's a pretty insulting attitude towards Bangladesh.
mrrexdog
Roar Guru
I thought Tye bowled reasonably well over the last few games, wouldn't make the first choice team when everyones available but he's a decent backup. Carey has done well in ODI but struggles in t20 (probably because he has more time to build and innings in an ODI.) Wade can't bat in the middle order, he's a backup opener at best. Handscombs a decent shout especially with the world cup being played in the UAE. Christian hit a quickfire 20 in one of the t20s against the west Indies. Surprised he hasn't played since. I'm worries they're going to slot stoinis back into the middle order.
DJM
Roar Rookie
Or as Wes Hall used to describe his frequent dismissals ‘out slogging’.
Barney
Roar Rookie
If Australia has Matthew Wade as captain you know already the parlous state that Australian cricket is in. What a joke
Shaid
Roar Rookie
yes, actually it's happened last few years.
Shaid
Roar Rookie
I also wonder how CA gives so many excuses to cancel the Bangladesh tour
Shahjahan Alam
Guest
Australian batsman are trying to be too cheeky. Josh philip is clueless. Alex is trying sweep, reverse sweep. Henriques got out playing same shot. Wade got out going for big shot. Pitches are not suitable for T20 international. But afif, nurul, marsh showed it is possible to score if they apply. 130+ is very good score and defendable. Australia is trying too hard to get big score like 180 & collapsing entirely. Take run a ball up to 16-17 overs with 7-8 wickets in hand. Play big shot in last 3-4 overs only. That is right approach.
Tarequl Islam
Guest
Australia batting is very fragile.
Tarequl Islam
Guest
Cool brother.
Arnab Bhattacharya
Roar Guru
Carey got out trying to play against the offie. Caught at mid on Phillipe - bowled round his legs by a Mustafizur off cutter. Henriques - attempted slog sweep missed and bowled. Mitch Marsh - attempted hoick over long on but instead nicks behind to the keeper Wade - missed a ramp and his leg stump taken out Agar - off cutter with extra bounce surprises him. Gloves it to the keeper Turner - tried to go over extra cover but mistimes it to short cover
Gee
Roar Rookie
A minnow vs Bangladesh, smart move from Foxtel.
DaveJ
Roar Rookie
Would have been nice to have some description of how the batsmen batted and got out, not just the raw figures, though if you are relying on seeing it on TV it’s not easy. But there would have been someone watching in Bangladesh or on YouTube.
Tony
Roar Guru
Good question
Ryan
Guest
Now we all know why Australia has veen avoiding Bangladesh for the last few years!
Reg Grundy
Guest
I'm confused why didn't CA cancel this tour due to COVID outbreak, unlike the earlier South Africia tour? Foxtel wasn't even interested in paying for the Australian broadcast rights.