– Shakib Al Hasan produced a masterclass to
force Australia hit the lowest ebb as Bangladesh secured a 60-run
victory in the fifth and final Twenty20 International to win the
series by 4-1 at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium today.

The ace all-rounder claimed 4-9 with his wily left-arm spin to bowl
Australia out for their lowest 62 in 13.4 overs in the T20 cricket
after Bangladesh managed to put up a moderate 122-8.

This was Bangladesh’s second largest victory after their 71-run win
against Ireland. It was however Australia’s fourth biggest defeat in
this format.

In the process, Shakib reached the milestone of 100 wickets in T20
International cricket as only the second bowler after Sri Lanka great
Lasith Malinga.

Pacer Mohammad Saifuddin ended with 3-12 to play a key role in
triggering Australia’s collapse.

Only two batsmen of Australia could reach double digit
figure-captain Matthew Wade scored 22 and Ben McDermott made 17.

Australia indeed were thrown out of the game right from the chase
when left-arm spinner Nasum Ahmed gave them a twin blow, dismissing
Dan Christian for 3 and in form Mitchell Marsh for 4, leaving them at
17-2.

Shakib got first of his four wickets, baffling Australia captain
Matthew Wade with quicker deliver.

The celebrated allrounder then got the better of Ashton Turner for
his 100th wicket as Australia’s innings took a nosedive. In between
Saifuddin, one of the two changes by Bangladesh, ripped through
Australian middle order with slower deliveries and off cutter.

Such was their impact that Bangladesh needed not Mustafizur Rahman
too much in the match. The Fizz who was the biggest nemesis of the
Australians in this series could bowl just one over.

Shakib however ensured Australia would fail to go past its previous
lowest-79 against England at Southampton.

Bangladesh batsmen also were not comfortable in this extremely slow
track after their captain Mahmudullah Riyad decided to bat first.

But the Tigers got a decent start. The decision to send Mahedi Hasan
open the innings with Mohammad Naim, instead of out-of-form Soumya
Sarkar worked well as they added 42 runs in just 4.3 overs to provide
a good platform.

But Australia bowlers regrouped well to stall Bangladesh’s progress.

Offspinner Ashton Turner provided the breakthrough, dismissing
Mahedi for 12 and pacer Dan Christian then blew Bangladesh further
with the wicket of Naim who top-scored the side with run-a-ball-23.

With the Australian bowlers maintaining a disciplined line and
length, Bangladesh batsmen found it tough to rotate the scoreboard
fluently.

Shakib Al Hasan played 20 balls for his 11 while Soumya Sarkar who
batted at No. 4 position made 16 off 18. Skipper Mahmudullah Riyad
however maintained strike rate over 100, as he struck 19 off 14 with
one six.

The Australian pacers, Nathan Ellis and Christian then used the
slower deliveries well in the death overs to curb the aggression of
Bangladesh batsmen.

Both Ellis, the hat-trick man of his previous match and Christian
claimed two wickets apiece.

Ashton Turner, Ashton Agar and Adam Zampa picked up one wicket each.