Tigers Roar But Australia Too Strong
on June 1st, 2009 at 4:11 pmAustralia 219-6 (Watson 52, Mahmudullah 4-37) beat
Bangladesh 179-7 (Shakib Al Hasan 53) by 40 runs
ICC World Twenty20 warm-up, Trent Bridge
Australia beat Bangladesh by 40 runs but only after they had survived a blistering onslaught from the Tigers, who made a game chase of 220 to win before closing on 179 for seven.
Tamim Iqbal thrashed 21 in nine balls and Junaid Siddique 12 in eight, forcing Ricky Ponting to turn to Mitchell Johnson for the third over after Nathan Bracken had been taken for 14 by Tamim first up.
The change worked, Johnson bowling Siddique but even after Tamim was caught by Bracken off of Brett Lee, Mohammad Ashraful (26 in 24 balls) and Shakib Al Hasan (53 in 28 balls) delighted the crowd with some big hitting and superb innovation.
Shakib was a lucky man, though, surviving first when Andrew Symonds bowled him, the left-hander standing his ground and getting away with one, and then when he was dropped in the deep by Mike Hussey. It was not to be third time lucky, however, Ricky Ponting taking a tumbling catch to end both Shakib’s innings, and effectively, Bangladesh’s challenge.
They eventually closed on a very respectable 179 for seven, Mahmudullah unbeaten on 31 as Johnson finished with three for 21, Lee with two for 31 and Bracken with two for 32.
Australia’s score of 219-6 was set up by their own openers taking the attack to Bangladesh, Shane Watson hammering 52 in 23 balls and Brad Haddin 47 in 29 balls, the pair putting exactly 100 before Watson was caught by Siddique off of Mahmudullah.
Off-spinner Mahmudullah captured the first four wickets to fall, also removing Ricky Ponting (14) and Andrew Symonds (27) before Michael Clarke gave his side a late boost with 35 in 18 balls while Husseys Michael, who made 18, and David, who made an unbeaten 14, pushed Australia past 200.
Mashrafe Mortaza and Shakib were the other bowlers to pick up a wicket.


Absolutely Q.
Shakib is one hell of a player.. He’ll be one to watch out for during the cup.