Nasum’s 4-19 leads Bangladesh to first T20 win over Aussies

DHAKA (Agencies): Left-arm spinner Nasum Ahmed claimed a career-best 4-19 as Bangladesh successfully defended a moderate 131-7 and beat Australia by 23 runs in the first of their five Twenty20s on Tuesday.
Australia was bowled out for 108 in 20 overs, it’s lowest total against Bangladesh in the shortest format. Left-arm pacers Mustafizur Rahman and Shoriful Islam took two wickets apiece to complement Nasum and secure Bangladesh’s first victory against Australia in five encounters.
Failing to deal with the spinners cost Australia. “The plan was simple — to bowl dot as many as we can,” Nasum said. “We knew we were short by 10-15 runs but the captain said it was a good total if we can bowl in a disciplined way. Shakib Al Hasan gave me tips in every over and I followed it.” Shakib, another left-arm spinner, and offspinner Mahedi Hasan also played their part, taking a wicket each.
Mitchell Marsh, who struck three half-centuries in five matches against the West Indies, was the only Australian to sustain any resistance. He made a run-a-ball 45 before being sixth man out. The combination of Nasum, Shakib and Mahedi reduced Australia to 11-3 in the third over.
Mahedi broke through with the first ball to dismiss Alex Carey, Nasum got Josh Philippe stumped for 9, and Shakib accounted for Moises Henriques before Marsh got going.
With Shakib and Mahedi denying Australia a flow of runs, Nasum ripped through the middle order in a gem of spin bowling.
Marsh kept the visitors’ hopes alive with calculated aggression, and his confidence grew after hitting Shakib for six. Marsh was undone in Nasum’s last over when he went for a slog-sweep, and Australia’s chances effectively went with him. “You’re always disappointed when you’re bowled out for 100 or so, we need to find ways to score,” Australia skipper Matthew Wade said.

“We knew they’d bowl a lot of spin at us. If our bowlers can keep giving us 130 to chase, we will mostly find ways to score.”

Made to bat first, Shakib top-scored for Bangladesh with 36 off 33, and opener Mohammad Naim struck a 29-ball 30, clobbering two fours and as many sixes. Afif Hossain added an unbeaten 23 off 16.

Naim flicked Australia speedster Mitchell Starc for a six over midwicket with a cracking shot in the second ball of the innings.

Starc’s new ball partner, Josh Hazlewood, broke through with the wicket of Soumya Sarkar on 2, and Naim was removed by legspinner Adam Zampa.

Shakib and captain Mahmudullah played with caution but failed to rotate the scoreboard rapidly.

Hazlewood (3-24) broke the partnership, dismissing Mahmudullah for 20 with a knuckle ball.

Hazlewood also took the crucial wicket of Shakib when he appeared set to pace the scoreboard.

Starc got a couple of tailenders but Afif Hossain held up one end to help the side go past 130.

The second match is on Wednesday.