‘Always felt we were a balanced side’
Bangladesh required something extraordinary to earn a victory in the third T20I against Australia in defence of a small 127-run total and the Tigers did it in style to re-write history at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur yesterday.
It was the lowest total in the shortest format of the game that Bangladesh have ever successfully defended, coming courtesy of some disciplined bowling that restricted the Aussies to 117 for four and sealed a memorable 10-run win.
For Australia, it was a continuation of a poor run in T20Is, the series defeat against Bangladesh their fifth consecutive series loss in the game's shortest format.
After bringing down the equation to 22 required off the final two overs, Mustafizur Rahman conjured a special performance. The left-arm seamer gave away just one run in the 19th over, changing the course of the game.
Off-spinner Mahedi Hasan held his nerve despite Alex Carey smashing him for six off the first ball of the final over, but things went his way thereafter and he conceded just five further runs.
Mustafizur ended with the most economical figures of his career, conceding just nine runs from four overs and picking up a wicket. It was also the most economical bowling performance by a Bangladeshi in T20Is over the past seven years.
Mahmudullah scored a vital fifty to help the Tigers post a winning total and the Bangladesh skipper was rewarded with a man of the match award.
The 35-year-old informed that he had a chat with the team after the series in Zimbabwe, urging the players to play with big hearts and to express themselves and that it had worked out.
"We had a chat in Zimbabwe after we finished the T20Is about needing to step up. We felt we were a very good side, but the rankings did not reflect that. We always felt we were a very balanced side. We just needed to play with big hearts and balanced minds while executing our skills," Mahmudullah said during the post-match presentation yesterday.
The Tigers T20I skipper waxed lyrical about his bowling unit and added that he wanted Shakib Al Hasan to have a chat with the team before going out to defend the low total.
"I think the boys stood up at important times. The way they fought tonight was incredible. But (our) bowlers did the job really well, lot of cutters and slower balls. When we were about to go back on the field, I wanted Shakib to have a chat with the team. He said that no matter what happened, we would have to take an early wicket and get the pressure up. Mustafizur did a brilliant job once again, he was outstanding tonight," he said.