Australia beat Bangladesh in T20I series opener: Key stats
What's the story
After losing the ODI leg, Australia claimed a comfortable win over Bangladesh in the 1st T20I in Chattogram. The Aussies first restricted Bangladesh to 131, thanks to three-fers from Adam Zampa and Joel Davies. The former also completed 150 T20I wickets. In response, Australia were home in the 19th over despite losing some early wickets. Cooper Connolly was their top scorer (47).
Summary
Bangladesh bowled out for 133
Despite a 26-run opening stand, Bangladesh were 39/2 by 4.5 overs, electing to bat. Zampa then knocked over skipper Towhid Hridoy to make further inroads. Soumya Sarkar was his next victim soon after. Debutants Joel Davies and Nikhil Chaudhary also struck as Bangladesh slumped to 108/9. Mahedi Hasan's unbeaten 29 (22) took them past 130. Davies dismissed Mustafizur Rahman to wrap up Bangladesh's innings.
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Australian spinners shine
While Zampa recorded figures of 4-0-18-3, debutant Davies dismissed Parvez Hossain Emon, Abdul Gaffar Saqlain, and finally Rahman. Davies recorded 3/17 in three overs. Nikhil Chaudhary, the first Indian-born man to play for Australia in over 60 years, took 1/14 in two overs.
Milestone
Zampa reaches 150 T20I wickets
Zampa, one of the most prolific white-ball wrist-spinners, has raced to 150 wickets in T20Is. No other Australian has even 80 wickets in the format. Across 115 T20Is, Zampa has raced to 150 wickets at an average of 20.34. His economy rate reads 7.35. Zampa has 5 four-wicket hauls and a fifer. Overall, he became the seventh player with 150 T20I wickets.
Australia
How Australia's chase panned out
Australia had a patchy start, losing Josh Inglis and Mitchell Marsh within five overs. Cooper Connolly's counter-attack lifted Australia from 38/2. However, his 27-ball 47 was cut short by Abdul Gaffar Saqlain in the 10th over. Mahedi Hasan then dismissed Tim David, with Australia reeling at 89/4. However, Matt Renshaw (18) and Nikhil Chaudhary (18) stuck around as Australia were home in 18.2 overs.
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Connolly's highest T20I score
Connolly, who had a stellar IPL 2026 with Punjab Kings (PBKS), smashed 4 fours and 3 sixes in Chattogram. He recorded his career-best score in T20Is. Despite being one of the most impactful batters, Connolly has managed only 75 runs in eight T20I innings.