Paceman Dirk Nannes took four wickets as Australia beat Bangladesh by 27 runs to move to the Super Eight stage of the Twenty20 cricket World Cup in Bridgetown on Wednesday.
Paceman Dirk Nannes took four wickets as Australia beat Bangladesh by 27 runs to move to the Super Eight stage of the Twenty20 cricket World Cup in Bridgetown on Wednesday.
The Aussies rode on Michael Hussey's unbeaten 47 and Nannes' four-wicket haul to drew curtains on their group campaign on unbeaten note after having defeated title holders Pakistan by 34 runs in their opening match.
Australia's win also ensured Pakistan's entry into second round from Group A.
Michael played the all important knock and shared crucial 74 runs with Steven Smith (27) for the seventh wicket to lift Australia to 141 for seven.
Defending the modest total, Nannes (4/18) wreaked havoc as Australia bowled out Bangladesh for 114 in 18.4 overs.
Nannes was ably supported by David Hussey (2/8) and Smith (2/29) at the middle.
Captain Shakib Al Hasan top-scored for Bangladesh with a run-a-ball 28 while wicketkeeper Mushfiqur Rahim (24 off 25) gave him the good support from the other end during their 48-run fifth-wicket partnership.
Bangladesh made a mockery of their run chase as they lost four of their top-order batsmen inside the first four overs.
Needing a outright win inside 19 overs to book their place in the Super Eight stage, Bangladesh did not help their cause in any way and played insensible shots against some fine pace bowling to totter at 16 for four.
Shaun Tait (1/15)) and Nannes tested the Bangladeshi batters from the onset with some high quality fast bowling.
Nannes, in particular, was the fiercesome of the duo as he picked up Mohammad Ashraful, Aftab Ahmed and Mahmudullah during his three-over opening spell before returning back to account for the wicket Jahurul Islam (18).
Inspite of the early jitters, Shakib and Mushfiqur put up a brave fight during their the fifth wicket to keep Bangladesh
in the hunt.
Shakib's innings was finally cut short by a blinder of a catch at deep from Michael Hussey off Smith.
Jahurul and Shafiul Islam (16) tried their level best to dig something out of the game but it was not to be Bangladesh's day and Australia eventually romp home with eight balls to spare.
Earlier opting to bat, the Aussies initially struggled as they lost six wickets for mere 65 runs before Hussey and Smith saved the day with the 42-ball vital partnership.
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}