Slow bowlers Adam Zampa and Joel Davies claimed three wickets apiece to lead Australia to a four-wicket victory over Bangladesh on Wednesday in the opening game of their three-match T20 series. Leg-spinner Nikhil Chaudhary, the first India-born male cricketer to represent Australia in 60 years, also bagged a wicket as Bangladesh was bowled out for 131 in 19 overs.
“I thought it might be spinning a little bit more than it actually did, but to still get enough out of the wicket…it´s been a childhood dream to play for Australia in any format,” debutant left-arm spinner Joel Davis said. “To get that done today was a massive achievement for me.”
Cooper Connolly, who struck 149 to help Australia win the last ODI by one wicket and avoid a three-match series sweep against Bangladesh, hit 47 with four fours and three sixes to guide his side to 133-6 in 18.2 overs.
He stayed composed after Australia lost Mitchell Marsh, back after missing the ODIs because of an ankle injury, and fellow opener Josh Inglis in quick succession.
Abdul Gaffar grabbed a debut wicket when he had Connolly caught after having shared a 40-run stand with Tim David (20) for the third wicket. The left-arm paceman ended up with figures of 2-32.
Bangladesh was led by Tawhid Hriody after Litton Das was ruled out because of a calf injury he sustained during the third ODI. Hridoy won the toss and elected to bat first but no Bangladesh batters provided any resistance against a disciplined Australia spin attack. Bangladesh was 39-1 in the fifth over but leg-spinner Zampa and Davies then triggered a collapse as the home team lost seven wickets for 60 runs.
The second T20 is on Friday.