CWC 2023 Match Number 43, Australia VS Bangladesh Played at Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium, Pune on 11 November 2023
Bangladesh 306/8 (Towhid Hridoy 74, Nazmul Hossain Shanto 45, Tanzid Hasan Tamimb36, Litton Kumar Das 36, Mahmudullah Raid 32, Mehedy Hasan Miraj 29, Mushfiqur Rahim 21, Adam Zampa 2/32, Sean Abbott 2/61)
Australia 307/2 in 44.2 Overs (Mitchell Marsh 177*, Steve Smith 63*, David Warner 53, Taskin Ahmed 1/61, Mustafizur Rahman 1/76)
Australia won by 8 wickets with 34 balls to spare
Player of the match: Mitchell Marsh (177*)
On a wicket little sluggish at the start but eventually turning flat Bangladesh recorded their highest score (306/8) in CWC 2023. But that proved too little too less against formidable Australia as they cake walked across the target scoring 307/2 in 44.2 overs.
A few persons thought that even scoring 350 was within the grasp of Bangladesh had not they panicked and absorbed two suicidal run outs at crucial stage. But as it panned out even a score of 350 was not safe against five times world champions Australia now looking great in their 6th Championship hunt. Bangladesh performance of losing 7 matches of 9 and finishing 8th in the 10-nation tournament truly reflects the realty.
Bangladesh had a last mission to achieving of not losing big so as to staying withing 8th for confirming an access to Champions Trophy scheduled to be held in Pakistan in 2025. Scoring 306/8 and making Australia play till 43rd overs Bangladesh achieved that. Apart from that Bangladesh performance in the entire tournament had very little to take pride upon. Scoring 308/6 on a wicket having no lateral movement, little turn and bounce was not a big deal. However, Bangladesh achieving 300 plus score for the only time in a tournament where 350 plus scores have been made and chased sums up the story. Yesterday Bangladesh bowling attack at least had some score to defend. But Marsh, Smith and Warner made it toothless underlining that much vaunted Bangladesh pace attack still have lot to learn. It ultimately proved a reality check for Bangladesh team which is a bit overrated.
Bangladesh had to play without their captain Shakib already left the scene being unfit. However, Anamul Haq Bijoy flown in as replacement was ignored. Instead, Bangladesh bolstered its spin attack playing both Nasum Ahmed and Shekh Mahedi. Only bewildered team management can answer what purpose it served. However, Bangladesh openers Tanzid Hasan Tamim (36) and Litton Kumar Das (36) for the second time in the tournament gave a good start reaching 76 in 11.2 over. But once again both proved that they lack skills for converting a good start to a significantly large. Both fell playing loose. Nazmul Shanto (45) was looking in good touch. He along with young Towhid Hridoy were moving smoothly along in the 3rd wicket partnership when brain freeze of young Hridoy caused Shanto getting run out. Bangladesh was still going strong with Mahmudullah Riad (32) appearing in his last world cup match was stroking freely. His innings unfortunately ended abruptly getting run out again responding to a call from Towhid. Bangladesh innings lost its way. Even a good innings of 74 by Hridoy could not take Bangladesh beyond 306/8 as later order batsmen excepting Mehedy Miraj (29) panicked. The wicket and the circumstances were such that Bangladesh should have posted 350 at least.
Bangladesh could remove free stroking Travis Head early. But matured David Warner (53) and flamboyant Mitchell Marsh (177*) batting fluently kept Bangladesh bowlers at bay. The pair put on 120 runs in the second wicket partnership before Mustafizur could squeeze out David Warner for 53. Steve Smith (63*) joining Mitchell Marsh firing in all cylinders made merry adding unbroken 175 runs for the 3rd wicket. Bangladesh attack looked toothless. Marsh looking prolific in his innings belted 17 fours and 9 sixes. Australia looks well primed for the business session of the tournament. Bangladesh finishing 8th managed to qualify for the Champions trophy.
We all know Bangladesh mission CWC 2023 has been proved a horror. There are many reasons for that inside and outside. The overall team atmosphere and team chemistry were not healthy for the Bangladesh team playing true to its potential Perhaps Bangladeshis grossly overrated the team. The points table amply reflected the reality. Not to mention the top teams even teams like Afghanistan performed much better than Bangladesh. There must be authentic soul-searching. There must be a postmortem done.
BDST: 0656 HRS, NOV 12, 2023
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