Bangladesh sealed a historic series win over Australia as the Tigers grabbed a thrilling 10-run win in the third twenty20 international of the five-match series to take an unassailable 3-0 lead.
After Bangladesh skipper Mahmudullah’s 52 off 53 deliveries took them to 127, Australia were on course of their first win of the series as Mitchell Marsh was set at the crease.
But a quick double striker from youngster Shoriful Islam sent the Aussies to the backfoot, requiring 23 off the last two overs.
Coming in to bowl the 19th over, Mustafizur Rahman conceded a single of the first delivery but from there on, he played with Dan Christian as the batsman failed to connect any of the five balls, leaving Bangladesh 22 runs to defend in the final over.
Shak Mahedi Hasan conceded a six in the first ball but came back in the next two. In the fourth ball, he bowled a no-ball but the batsmen could not take advantage. Mahedi kept his cool and ensured that Alex Carey and Christian took only 11 runs from the final over to finish on 117 for four, securing the series win.
Mustafiz was Bangladesh’s best bowler by far as he only conceded nine runs in his four overs and kept the Aussie batsmen perplexed throughout his spell.
Shoriful picked up a couple of wickets for Bangladesh with Shakib Al Hasan and Nasum Ahmed picking one each.
Mitchell Marsh top-scored for Australia with 51 with Ben McDermott scoring 35.
Bangladesh skipper Mahmudullah won the toss for the first time in the series and opted to bat first. Tigers fielded an unchanged side, whereas Australia brought in three changes. Ben McDermott, Dan Christian and Ellis came into the XI instead of Josh Philippe, Mitchell Starc and Andrew Tye.
Bangladesh continued on their streak of poor opening stands as Naim Sheikh was sent back by Josh Hazlewood in the second over for one. Soumya Sarkar followed next over as he was trapped leg-before by Adam Zampa.
Mahmudullah then put together a 44-run stand with Shakib Al Hasan as they focused on upping the ante. Shakib looked in fine touch before getting out on 26 as he tried to hit Zampa out of the ground but only found Ashton Agar at the long-on boundary.
Second T20’s hero Afif Hossain also looked solid in the middle, but he had to go back for only 19 off 13 deliveries as Alex Carey ran him out with a brilliant direct hit.
Shamim Hossain, promoted to number six, could not take advantage of his opportunity as Hazlewood took little time to send the youngster back for only three.
Nurul Hasan Sohan also fell prey to a direct hit as miscommunication with Mahmudullah left him stranded in the middle and Moises Henriques made no mistake in hitting the stumps.
Mahmudullah, who held onto one end, struggled with timing throughout his innings but picked up his fifth T20I fifty off 52 deliveries in the final over. He was dismissed immediately after by the debutant Ellis, who went on to pick up Mustafizur Rahman and Mahedi Hasan in the final two deliveries to complete his hat-trick.
The 26-year-old seamer is the first bowler to pick up a hat-trick on T20I debut and ensured that Bangladesh were restricted to 127.
In reply, Australia once again had a poor start as skipper Matthew Wade, who promoted himself up to opening, was dismissed off Nasum Ahmed in the second over.
But Mitchell Marsh continued on his good form and McDermott gave him proper support as they put on a 63-run stand to guide the visitors forward.
Mustafiz almost opener up one end when McDermott skewed a shot but Shoriful Islam at deep fine leg dropped a dolly as the Aussie opener survived.
But his luck ran out in the very next over as he was bowled on 35 trying to sweep Shakib. In came Moises Henriques, but he went back quickly as Shoriful reprimanded for his mistake by deceiving the Aussie all-rounder with a cutter.
After two scores of 45, Marsh picked up his first fifty of the series off 45 deliveries. But his time ran out soon as he mistimed a cutter from Shoriful and Naim took a smart catch at mid-off to send the Aussie all-rounder back for 51.
Australia required 23 off the last two overs but Mustafiz bowled the 19th over brilliantly as he conceded only one run and left 22 for Shak Mahedi Hasan in the last over.
Despite conceding a six in the first delivery and a no ball in the fourth, Mahedi managed to hold his nerve to bring Bangladesh a win by ten runs.
Brief Score
Bangladesh 127-9, 20 overs (Mahmudullah 52, Shakib 26, Ellis 3-34, Hazlewood 2-16)
Australia 117-4, 20 overs (Marsh 51, McDermott 35, Shoriful 2-29, Nasum 1-19)
