Australia is closing in on a spot in the T20 World Cup semi-finals after securing a decisive 28-run victory over Bangladesh in a rain-affected match in Antigua.
In a game marked by intermittent showers, Pat Cummins (3-29) became only the fourth Australian to achieve a hat-trick in T20 internationals. Alongside Adam Zampa (2-24), who continued his strong form, they limited Bangladesh to 140 for 8.
Australia’s chase, interrupted by rain twice, was spearheaded by David Warner’s unbeaten 53 from 35 balls. The veteran opener ensured Australia were well ahead of the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern (DLS) par score when the match was eventually called off in the 12th over, with Australia at 100 for 2.
This win positions Australia favourably for a semi-final berth in the North American tournament. A victory in their next Super Eight match against Afghanistan on Sunday would likely seal their progression.
After opting to field, Australia put immediate pressure on Bangladesh’s struggling batting lineup. Mitchell Starc struck early, cleaning up Tanzid Hasan for a duck with a trademark full delivery just three balls into the innings.
Adam Zampa, showcasing his expertise, broke through twice as Bangladesh faltered, losing 3-26 around the drinks interval. Zampa ended a crucial 58-run partnership that had stabilised Bangladesh after Hasan's early exit. His delivery saw Litton Das, attempting a sweep, misjudge the bounce, leading the ball to ricochet off his pad onto the stumps. Zampa later trapped Najmul Hossain Shanto (41 off 36 balls), who was the top scorer for Bangladesh, with a delivery that struck his pad. Shanto didn't opt for a review, solidifying Zampa’s 11th wicket in the tournament, placing him second in the tournament's wicket tally behind Afghan pacer Fazalhaq Farooqi (15).
Towhid Hridoy’s spirited 40 off 28 balls injected some energy into Bangladesh’s innings, but Pat Cummins ensured they never fully took off. Cummins bowled Mahmudullah for two and then had Mahedi Hasan caught by Zampa at third man with his first ball. Cummins completed his hat-trick with the first delivery of the 20th over, enticing Hridoy to edge to Josh Hazlewood. This feat made Cummins only the fourth Australian and the seventh player in T20 World Cup history to claim a hat-trick.
Set a target of 141, Warner was given an early reprieve when Hridoy dropped a difficult chance with Warner on just five runs in the second over. Warner and Travis Head (31) capitalised, hitting more sixes during the power play than Bangladesh managed in their entire innings. They reached 64 without loss when rain halted play in the seventh over.
Despite the interruptions, leg-spinner Rishad Hossain (2-23) gave Bangladesh a glimmer of hope by bowling Head and trapping Australian captain Mitch Marsh lbw, who failed to overturn the decision on review.
Warner, undeterred, brought up his second half-century of the tournament by flicking Taskin Ahmed for six over deep square leg before the rain returned, ultimately halting the match. With over an hour lost to weather, the game was called off past midnight local time, securing a crucial victory for Australia.