Pat Cummins picked up a hat-trick while David Warner crafted an unbeaten fifty as Australia made a winning start to Super 8 by defeating Bangladesh in a rain-hit encounter at North Sound. Bangladesh huffed and puffed their way to 140/8 before Australia gunned down the measly total with ease. The game didn’t witness a proper conclusion due to rain but Australia had done enough by then to get the two points by DLS method.
What made the difference?
The intent in the powerplay was the determining factor. Bangladesh struggled, at least for the first half of their powerplay, scoring only 8 runs before eventually dawdling to 39. However, Australia blazed off the blocks, taking full toll of the mandatory fielding restrictions to knock off 59 runs off the target without losing a wicket.
Brief scores: Bangladesh 140/8 in 20 overs (Najmul Shanto 41, Towhid Hridoy 40; Pat Cummins 3/29, Adam Zampa 2/24) lost to Australia 100/2 in 11.2 overs (David Warner 53*, Travis Head 31) by 28 runs (via DLS)
Where next?
Bangladesh have scant recovery time as they take on India next at the same venue on Saturday. Australia will move to St. Vincent to face Afghanistan.