Bangladesh caught by Australia spin-web to taste 4-wicket defeat in 1st T20

Australia's spinners weaved a tight web around Bangladesh to guide the visitors to a four-wicket victory in the opening match of the three-match T20 International series at Bir Shrestha Shahid Flight Lieutenant Motiur Rahman Stadium on Wednesday.

Leg-spinner Adam Zampa and left-arm spinner Joel Davis claimed three wickets apiece as Australia bowled Bangladesh out for 131 in 19 overs before reaching 133-6 in 18.2 overs to take a 1-0 lead in the series.

Part-time off-spinner Matt Renshaw took two wickets, while leg-spinner Nikhil Chaudhary, who became the first India-born male cricketer to represent Australia in 60 years, chipped in with one wicket. Pacer Spencer Johnson claimed the remaining wicket.

Australia's spin quartet accounted for nine of Bangladesh's 10 wickets, completely stifling the hosts after stand-in captain Towhid Hridoy won the toss and opted to bat first.

Hridoy, leading the side in the absence of injured skipper Liton Das, could not make a significant impact and was dismissed for eight as Bangladesh slipped to 57-3. No Bangladesh batter managed to cope with Australia's disciplined attack. 

Opener Tanzid Hasan Tamim made 10 before Johnson struck in the third over, while Saif Hasan looked comfortable for his 20 before falling to Renshaw.  Zampa and Davis then sparked a dramatic collapse as Bangladesh lost five wickets for just 40 runs.

Lower-order batter Mahedi Hasan top-scored with 29 runs, offering some resistance and helping the hosts push their total beyond 130 after appearing destined for a much lower score.

In reply, Australia suffered early setbacks when returning captain Mitchell Marsh and wicketkeeper-batter Josh Inglis departed in quick succession.

However, all-rounder Cooper Connolly, fresh from his match-winning 149 in the final ODI, continued his rich vein of form with a brisk 47 off 27 balls, featuring four fours and three sixes.

Left-arm pacer Abdul Gaffar provided Bangladesh with some hope, claiming the wickets of Connolly and Renshaw to finish with 2-32 on his international debut.

But Australia remained in control, and Xavier Bartlett sealed the victory with a boundary through mid-off off Gaffar.

The second T20 International will be played at the same venue on Friday.�"BSS