BAN v AUS 2021: We were in a good position, should've got 130-140, says Matthew Wade

Bangladesh won the second T20I and took a 2-0 lead in the five-match T20I series.

By - 05 Aug, 2021

Bangladesh beat Australia in the second T20I to take a 2-0 lead in the five-match T20I series. The decision to bat first looked right as Australia were 88/2 at one stage but collapsed to 106/7 and eventually scored 121/7 in 20 overs on a slow turning track.

Mitchell Marsh scored a run-a-ball 45 and was ably supported by Moises Henriques who scored 30 runs. Mustafizur Rahman was the wrecker-in-chief and picked up 3/23 in his four overs. 

In reply, Bangladesh lost both the openers within the powerplay but recovered quickly. Shakib al Hasan and Mehdi Hasan steadied the ship.

However, Australia struck back and got three quick wickets to reduce Bangladesh to 67/5. Afif Hossain scored 37 not out along with wicket-keeper Nurul Hasan's 22* and guided Bangladesh to win. 

Australian captain Matthew Wade said that his team was in a good position and should have put up at least 130-140 runs on the board. 

"We were in a good position today with a couple of set batters but didn't cash in at the back end. Should have got high 130s or 140s, which would have been a winning score on that track. The bowlers from both teams have done really well. Bowling isn't the problem for us, got to tidy up with the bat," Matthew Wade stated post the second T20I loss.

Read also: New Zealand set to tour Pakistan after 18 years; to play 3 ODIs and 5 T20Is in September

Bangladesh captain was pleased with the way Hossain and Hasan finished. 

"It's very pleasing how Afif and Sohan (Nurul Hasan) stood up and carried till the end, showed a lot of maturity. Bowlers did a very good job to restrict them to around 120. Shakib was very crucial with his bowling and batting, which shows how valuable he is," Mahmudullah stated.

He added that his team was under pressure after losing a couple of early wickets and credited the bowlers, especially Mustafizur Rahman. 

"Losing few early wickets causes tension in the dressing room but the way Sohan and Afif batted, it took a bit of pressure off us, the dressing room was quite relieved. Mustafizur has always been effective in these conditions, Shoriful bowled very well, every bowler chipped in. We are taking each game at a time, we need to stand up and perform to the best of our abilities,” said the Bangladesh captain. 

Bangladesh will try and seal the series in the third match which will be played on Friday, 6 August at the Sher-e-Bangla stadium in Dhaka. 

By - 05 Aug, 2021

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