Shakib makes history as Australia suffer record low

SCORECARD

Bangladesh presented an unwavering spirit to successfully defend 123 runs against Australia in the final T20I in Dhaka. The hosts bowled them out for 62 in the 14th over with the help of Shakib, who snared four wickets alongside Saifuddin, who chipped in with three.

There was history made for both sides, with Australia posting their lowest ever score in a completed men's T20I innings and Shakib becoming the first men's T20I player to achieve the 100-wicket-1000-run-double and third overall after Australia's Ellyse Perry (1243 runs, 115 wickets) and Pakistan's Nida Dar (1207 runs and 103 wickets).

The opening stand of 42 runs between Mahedi Hasan and Mohammad Naim provided impetus to the Bangladesh innings with a run-rate of over 10 for the first four overs but the middle-order couldn’t capitalise on the quick start.

After the fall of Mahedi’s wicket to Ashton Turner (1/16) for 13, the hosts’ run rate nosedived. Then, Daniel Christian (2/17) claimed his first wicket in T20Is since 2014 with the scalp of Naim, who went back with a run-a-ball 23.

At the halfway mark, Shakib perished to Adam Zampa (1/24) who trapped him leg-before for 11. The middle-order struggled to rebuild the innings and Soumya Sarkar (16), Mahmud Ullah (19), and Nurul Hasan (8) were all back in the hut when Bangladesh were 110/6 in 17.4 overs.

Nathan Ellis (2/16) bowled the final over and exploited the conditions with his change of pace working wonders. He snared the wicket of Afif Hossain (10), whose attempted ramp off a slower delivery landed in the hands of Mitchell Marsh at short fine leg.

In their chase, Australia lost two important players early – Christian (3) and Marsh (4) – as they limped to 31/2 at the end of their Powerplay.

In a massive turn of events, the visitors were bowled out for 62 runs in no time as batters No.5 through to 11 all perished in single digits.

The collapse was prompted by Saifuddin who picked 3/12 in three overs while Shakib returned with a four-for that took him past 100 T20I wickets, making him the first men's player to score 1000 runs and pick 100 wickets in the shortest format.