Bangladesh put up 72-1 in the first six overs, their highest runs in the powerplay against Australia in the T20 International on Friday at Bir Shrestha Shaheed Flight Lieutenant Motiur Rahman Stadium in Chattogram.
The powerplay burst came in the second T20 of the three-match series as they are chasing 197 runs for a victory and stay alive in the series.
However, despite a whirlwind start, Bangladesh couldn’t eclipse their highest runs in the first powerplay, which was 81 for no loss against Ireland. The feat came also at the same venue in 2023.
The 72-1 against Australia was indeed Bangladesh’s fifth highest score in the first six overs, behind 76-4 against New Zealand in 2013 in Mirpur, 74 for no loss against Sri Lanka in Colombo in 2018 and 73 for no loss against Ireland in 2023 in Chattogram.
Australia, which won the first match by four wickets, compiled 196-5, their best T20 total against Bangladesh, thanks to a career-best 48 ball-89 not out from Matt Renshaw.
After electing to bat first, captain Mitchell Marsh and Josh Inglis gave the side a fluent start, but neither of them converted it to a big knock.
Left-arm spinner Nasum Ahmed gave the side the first breakthrough, trapping Inglis leg-before for 11 while Mustafizur Rahman sent back Marsh for 20.
Nahid Rana, one of the two changes for Bangladesh, removed Cooper Connolly for 1 before Renshaw and Tim David put on 97 runs from 50 balls to pave the way for a big total.
David hammered 45 off 26 with two fours and four sixes before he was dismissed by Abdul Gaffar Saqlain.
Renshaw, who smashed four fours and five sixes guided the lower order to edge the side closer to the 200-run mark.
