STATS HIGHLIGHTS
Follow UsBangladesh in their last match of the 2021 edition of T20 World Cup, displayed exactly as to why they have crashed out of this tournament. In five matches, they have had no wins and their last two matches have been absolutely dismal. Put to bat first by Australian skipper Aaron Finch, Bangladesh batters were bruised by pace of Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood in the powerplay and then were flummoxed by Adam Zampa’s leg spin. In their previous match, they were reduced to 84 by South Africa and today, it was even worse as they were bundled out for 73. Australia had a great chance to boost their net run rate and their batsman came out with an aggressive intent required to achieve that. With 82 balls to spare, Australia romped over Bangladesh.
In the second match, Sri Lanka were out of the tournament, but a win was necessary for West Indies to stay alive. After electing to bowl first, West Indies bowlers failed to make an impact early on. Though they bagged a wicket in the powerplay, Sri Lanka had scored runs with ease. Pathum Nissanka and Charith Asalanka forged a 61-ball 91-run partnership for the second wicket. Thanks to a late flourish partnership between Dasun Shanaka and Asalanka of 46 from 19 balls for the third wicket, Sri Lanka posted 189/3. With big names like Chris Gayle, Evin Lewis, Nicholas Pooran, Kieron Pollard and Andre Russell, the target was not out of reach. However, their form was the biggest concern and that is exactly what happened. Pooran and Hetmyer tried their best but, regular interval of wickets made it difficult for them to chase the target. With a loss by 20 runs, the defending champs are out of the 2021 edition of T20 World Cup. Here are a few notable stats from Match 34 & 35:
A Zampa special
After the pacers set up the tone, Zampa cleaned up the rest with his leg spin. Bowling his full quota of four overs, Zampa bagged his first five-wicket in T20Is. His day would have been even sweeter, if Matthew Wade would have held onto the catch in the first ball of the fourth over, which was his hat-trick ball. Nevertheless, his bowling returns of 5/19 is the best for an Australian in a T20 WC. Overall in T20Is, only Ashton Agar has bowled a better spell for Australia.
Australia restrict to their lowest
The raw pace and heat of Starc and Hazlewood at the start was too much to handle for Bangladesh top order. In the first six overs, Bangladesh had lost four wickets. Then, Zampa’s introduction in the seventh over completely deflated Bangladesh batting and Australia restricted them to a paltry total of 73. This is the lowest ever T20I total against Australia. Against India in 2008 in Melbourne and Pakistan in 2012 at the same venue, they had restricted the oppositions to 74, the lowest then.
Bangladesh’s intent-less two matches
It is not just this match, against South Africa as well, the tigers were toothless. In both the matches, they had lost half their side within 35 runs. Hence, handing two sub-100 totals in back-to-back matches. In their T20I career, they have been dismissed for less than 85 runs seven times and four of those have been this year. Their score of 73 is their second lowest total in the shortest format.
A blazing start
In a big competition like the World Cup, chasing a paltry target of 74 is an opportunity for the chasing side to boost their net run rate and Australia were eyeing for that. This is why, their openers came all guns blazing and threw the kitchen sink every ball. However, most of them got a good connection. Hence, Australia scored 67 runs, despite losing two wickets in the first six overs. This was their highest first six overs score in T20 WC and the highest score by any team in this edition.
A massive win
Thanks to a blistering start from Finch and David Warner, Australia had cut-off 90 percent of the runs in the powerplay itself. The formalities were completed in the seventh over when Mitchell Marsh smashed a four of the first ball and a six of the second legal delivery (there was a wide in between). With a win margin of 82 balls, Australia registered the biggest margin of win by balls remaining between two Test playing nations in T20Is. In T20 WC, this is the second biggest win after Sri Lanka’s 90-ball win against the Netherlands in 2014.
Nissanka making a mark at young age
In an edition to forget for Sri Lanka, Nissanka, Asalanka and Wanindu Hasaranga have been the shining stars. Nissanka, in particular, has been exceptional at the top, considering a dismal performance from Sri Lanka’s most experienced opener Kusal Perera. Nissanka ended the edition with three 50+ scores. At the age of 23 years and 170 days, Pathum Nissanka became the first opener to score three or more 50+ scores in T20 WC before turning 25.
Hasaranga at sweet 16
An unorthodox among leg spinners, Hasaranga has a very deceptive googly. He has made full-toe of his deception in the T20 WC. Not only in the WC, but the year 2021 has itself been a year to rejoice. 36 wickets being the best for a bowler in a calendar year is a testimony of it. His two wickets against West Indies took his WC wickets tally to 16, which is the most for a bowler in an edition of WC. He beat his fellow team bowler Ajantha Mendis, who had 15 wickets in 2012.
Hetmyer’s valiant knock in vain
Only two West Indian batsmen scored in double digits in their match against Sri Lanka, Pooran with a 466 off 34 balls and Hetmyer scored an unbeaten 81 off 54 balls. Still, that wasn’t enough because of the other batters' failure. His knock off 81* is the highest score for a West Indian in an unsuccessful chase in T20Is. Previously, Lendl Simmons against South Africa in 2009 T20 WC, had scored 77 at the Oval in a losing cause while chasing. This is also the highest score for a batsman in losing cause while chasing In T20 WC.
