Rain rescues Bangladesh hopes after Australia tie washout

Persistent rain has washed out Bangladesh’s Champions Trophy game against Australia, rescuing the Tigers from certain elimination from the elite global tournament.

Syed Mahmud Onindobdnews24.com
Published : 5 June 2017, 12:53 PM
Updated : 6 June 2017, 03:28 AM

After the Tigers chose to bat first, Tamim Iqbal (95) fought a lone battle to help his side post a measly 182 in the Group A tie at The Oval on Monday.

Australia were firmly on course in their chase, cruising to 83-1 in 16 overs before rain swept in. The two-time winners now have had to share the points with opponents for the second straight game after the washout against New Zealand in their opener.

On a windy day in overcast conditions, Australia put Bangladesh top order to the sword before Mitchell Starc (4-29) snuffed out the lower order with four wickets in nine balls.

After Mashrafe Bin Mortaza decided to bat first in the must-win game, Bangladesh top order crumbled early in the innings.

Josh Hazlewood snared the wicket of Soumya Sarkar (3) with a length delivery before Imrul Kayes (6) was too slow for Pat Cummins pace off the pitch, sending an easy catch to cover.

Their middle-order mainstay Mushfiqur Rahim (9) was adjudged lbw off Moises Henriques and walked off as soon as the umpire delivered his verdict. Replays later showed there was a slim edge on to the pad.

A 69-run recovery stand for the fourth wicket then pushed Bangladesh past 100.

Tamim looked on strong at the other end but he and Shakib, who was dropped by Glenn Maxwell at point on 11, became watchful and the run rate dropped to around 3 per over. Bangladesh managed just 65 for 3 in 20 overs.

The left-handed opener decided to up the ante and clubbed Travis Head for back-to-back sixes but the spinner struck two balls later by trapping Shakib (29) in front.

Bangladesh slipped to 122 for 4 in the 30th over.

Steve Smith waited until the 35th over to bring legspinner Adam Zampa, who replaced John Hastings from their opener against New Zealand, into the attack. He struck with his second delivery by taking out Sabbir Rahman (8).

Mahmudullah (8) showed promise with a six over midwicket but played on to Zampa (2-13 in 4 overs) as Tamim, who clubbed six boundaries and three sixes in 114 balls, watched the wickets fall like ninepins at the other end.

He fell to Starc in the first ball of the 43rd over, which accounted for three wickets, for a top edge and the rest capitulated managing just 78 runs, with nine of them coming as extras.

In reply, Australia appeared to be cruising with David Warner leading the charge with an unbeaten 40.

Bangladesh seamers could not utilise the strong wind in the ground to produce effective swing as Warner stitched up a breezy 45-run opening stand with Aaron Finch, before the latter was trapped lbw by Rubel Hossain.

Skipper Smith (25 off 22 balls) then joined Warner and took little time to get in the groove before incessant rain had its say.

Having beaten Bangladesh in the opener, England have 2 points and will take on New Zealand on Tuesday.

Australia also have 2 points, but with only a game to spare. They must beat the hosts in their last game to stay in contention of a semi-final spot.

Bangladesh and New Zealand, on the other hand, each have a point and Bangladesh must beat New Zealand in their last game on Friday to keep alive their hopes.

The Black Caps, however, will go through if they beat both England and Bangladesh in their remaining matches.

But in a scenario where Australia lose to England and New Zealand are defeated by Bangladesh, the net run rate will come into play, even if they beat England.

Brief scores:

Bangladesh: 182 in 44.3 overs (Tamim 95, Soumya 3, Imrul 6, Mushfiqur 9, Shakib 29, Sabbir 8, Mahmudullah 8, Miraz 14, Mashrafe 0, Rubel 0, Mustafizur 1*; Starc 4/29, Hazlewood 1/40, Cummins 1/22, Head 1/30, Henriques 1/30, 2/13, Maxwell 0/9)

Australia: 83/1 in 16 overs (Warner 40*, Finch 22*; Mustafizur 0/27, Mashrafe 0/30, Rubel 1/21, Miraz 0/4)