Michael Hussey and Australia defeat Bangladesh match report
Pakistan team and their fans heart's may have skipped a few beats when they saw Australia stuttering against the Bangladesh bowling attack, but they should all be thankful to Michael Hussey also known as Mr. Cricket, who was there to save the day once again, not just for Australia but also for Pakistan. He guided his side to a respectable total, and given Australia's fearsome bowling line up a respectable total to defend. Bangladesh batsmen had a task no their hand and Aussies pace attack was way too much for the Tigers. Australia progress through to the super 8 stage from group A alongside Pakistan.
Australia won the toss and elected to bat first on what looked like a slow but a good batting deck, but they were soon to regret that decision as both the openers were back in the hut with the score just at 21. Shane Watson was the first one to go for just 4 as he was caught by Aftab off the bowling of Mortaza, Warner for 16 was also snapped up by the same fielder but captain Shakib Al Hasan was the bowler. Captain Michael Clarke's poor run continued as he was dismissed for just 16 by the part time off spinner Ashraful followed by the wicketkeeper Brad Haddin for just 6 who was caught by Shafiul Islam on the bowling of Razzak. It had started to look like the unthinkable can happen and Bangladesh will have an easy win over the aussies, in effect knocking out the defending champions Pakistan by virtue of a better run rate, but as Australia were stuttering at 65 for 6 in the 13th over the savior of Aussies for all seasons Michael Hussey Joined hands with all rounder Steve Smith and put on 74 runs in just 7 overs.
Hussy scored unbeaten 47 which included 4 boundaries and a six and Smith got 27 runs, as Aussies managed to post a decent enough total of 141 for 7.
If Bangladesh had to go into the next round they had to score the target of 142 in 14.2 overs to knockout Aussies and take Pakistan with them to the super 8 and if they got the score prior to the 19th over it would have been Aussies accompanying them to the next round, and maybe in the strive to score faster, Bangladesh batsmen lost their way. They were simply no match for the hostile bowling line up from down under, Shaun Tait and dirk Nannes ripped through the top order , as both openers faield to score even asingle run, and the match looked to be as good as over when Bangaldesh were 15 for 4. Captain Shakib Al Hasan tried to lead a brave recovery but failed shortly as he could only manage 28 runs, Nannes was at his aggressive best claiming 4 wickets for just 18 runs, while Tait bowled an unprecedented spell of 4 overs in a t20 with 2 maidens.
Steve Smith and David hussy claimed 2 wickets each, As Australia managed to skittle out the opposition on just 114, registering a 27 run win, and with a 100 % record from group stage march into the super 8 round with Pakistan from group A.
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