Australia survived a middle-order meltdown to beat Bangladesh by three wickets in a World Twenty20 Super 10 match on Monday to get their campaign up and running.
Chasing 157 for a win, Australia were helped toward the finish line thanks mainly to opener Usman Khawaja, who struck 58 off 45 balls -- they won with nine deliveries to spare.
This is Australia’s first win in the competition, having lost to New Zealand in their tournament opener in Dharamsala on Friday.
With the win today, Australia collected two points to remain in contention for a semi-final berth while a winless Bangladesh found themselves on the brink of elimination.
Bangladesh were done in by poor fielding even as Shakib Al Hasan (3 for 27 runs) and Mustafizur Rahman (2-30) tried to keep the team in the match.
Even though opener Shane Watson was run-out in the 8th over after making a brisk 21 off 15 deliveries, his opening partner Khawaja and captain Steve Smith ensured that the runs came by.
Australia were well placed at 95 for one in the 12th over when Smith (14) was bowled by a fine delivery from Mustafizur Rahman and that opened the floodgates, giving Bangladesh a glimmer a hope.
From there, they lost six wickets in 6.3 overs for the addition of 57 runs.
Khawaja was out two overs after Smith's departure as was bowled by Al-Amin Hossain after making a fine 58 which came from 45 balls and studded with seven fours and one six.
David Warner (17) hit Mahmudullah for a four and a six in consecutive deliveries in the 13th over but gave away his wicket in the 15th over, caught and bowled by Shakib Al Hasan.
Mitchell Marsh (6) followed soon after but Glenn Maxwell (26) went about his job even as Australia kept on losing wickets at the other end.
Despite losing Maxwell and John Hastings (3) in the 18th over, Australia needed five runs from the final two overs and James Faulkner (5 not out) eventually hit the winning runs as Australia reached 157 for 7 in 18.3 overs.
Earlier, middle-order batsman Mahmudullah top-scored with an impressive 49 not out off 29 balls as Bangladesh shook off a wobbly start to post a decent 156 for five in their World T20 Super 10 Group 2 cricket match against Australia in Bengaluru on Monday.
Put into bat, Bangladesh made a poor start, being reduced to 26 for 2 in the sixth over, but a fine contribution from Shakib Al Hasan (33 off 25 balls) and a late flurry from Mahmudullah took them to a fighting total in their crucial match.
Bangladesh batsmen struggled for most part of their innings and broke the shackles only in the last five overs with Mahmudullah taking charge.
They added 52 runs from the final five overs to cross the 150 mark after they were placed at 104 for 4 at the end of the 15th over.
Mahmudullah, who hit seven fours and a six in his unbeaten knock, carried the responsibility of taking Bangladesh to a fighting total after Shakib's departure -- he played some exquisite shots towards the end.
He and wicketkeeper Mushfiqur Rahim (15 not out) had an unconquered sixth wicket stand of 52 runs, as they frustrated the Australian bowlers who had done a fine job till then.
Rookie pacer Adan Zampa grabbed three wickets for 23 runs in an impressive bowling spell while Shane Watson took two wickets for 31 runs.
Bangladesh, who lost their opening match against Pakistan, were on the backfoot even before the start of the match as in-form opener Tamim Iqbal was left out as he was unwell, adding to their woes after the suspension of Taskin Ahmed and Arafat Sunny due to illegal bowling actions.
Bangladesh were denied a strong start with Shane Watson claiming the wickets of opener Soumya Sarkar (1) and Sabbir Rahman (12).
A 37-run stand between the other opener Mohammad Mithun (23) and all-rounder Shakib repaired the Bangladesh innings a bit but the Australians bowlers did not allow their opponents to score freely.
Shakib, for a brief period, threatened to take the fight against the Australians with a few lusty blows, including a four and six off Adam Zampa in consecutive deliveries, but Bangladesh batsmen were found wanting to get the big shots going.
After Shakib was out in the 16th over, Mahmudullah took the responsibility of first steadying the Bangladesh innings for a while and then taking to a fighting total.
Bangladesh, missing suspended paceman Taskin Ahmed and left-arm spinner Arafat Sunny, brought Saqlain Sajib and Hom into the starting XI with Mustafizur Rahman replacing Tamim Iqbal.
