Australia are up and running in the ICC World Twenty20 after Usman Khawaja helped them to a nervy three-wicket victory over Bangladesh in Bangalore.
Khawaja (58) hit his maiden half-century in the sprint international format, and Adam Zampa’s figures of three for 23 also underpinned victory with nine balls to spare in Group 2.
Despite Australia’s opening defeat against New Zealand, they are still in with a chance of reaching next week’s semi-finals – while a second setback for Bangladesh puts them on course for an early exit.
Australia’s chase of 156 for five got under way with an opening stand of 62 between Khawaja and Shane Watson and – despite a significant wobble which saw six wickets fall for 57 – they scrambled home.
With the impressive Mustafizur Rahman compromised by a side injury and Taskin Ahmed and Arafat Sunny unavailable after being banned for illegal actions, Bangladesh were vulnerable.
Watson was run out trying to scamper a second run and after Khawaja completed his 37-ball 50 and hit seven fours and a six, he was bowled round his legs by Al-Amin Hossain.
Steve Smith was beaten for pace by Rahman, and David Warner chipped a return catch back at Shakib-al-Hasan (three for 27).
Then Mitch Marsh lobbed a catch into the off-side after being deceived by Rahman’s change of pace.
But Glenn Maxwell got Australia close enough – before he was stumped on the charge against Shakib – to minimise the intrigue.
Bangladesh had got off to an awkward start, after being put in under lights.
Soumya Sarkar went in the second over, cutting a wide one from Watson to point, and there was no boundary until the fourth over.
Watson soon had his second wicket, Sabbir Rahman mistiming to mid-on, and Bangladesh mustered only 33 for two in powerplay.
Zampa’s spell was eventful. Mohammad Mithun was caught in the deep to give the leg-spinner his maiden wicket in this format and – after already being dropped in the deep – Shuvagata Hom was pinned lbw on the back foot.
Old hands Shakib and Mahmudullah brought up three figures with 5.3 overs and six wickets left. But Zampa signed off by having Shakib caught at short third-man.
Mahmudullah (49no) and Mushfiqur Rahim took a liking to Watson and James Faulkner, in an unbroken half-century stand – yet even 44 off the last three overs was not enough.