After losing the opening Test to Bangladesh at Mirpur, Australia made a terrific comeback and won the 2nd Test at Chittagong by seven wickets to level the two match series 1-1. It also denies Bangladesh from registering their maiden series victory against a major opposition. It was a pretty sensational performance by the visitors who came well prepared and was eager to prove a point especially in conditions where they have suffered in the last many years.
David Warner continued his exception al run and completed his 2nd century of the series which was instrumental in Australia winning the 2nd Test. Nathan Lyon was the trump card for them in the bowling department as the offie bagged 13 wickets in the match which was the main reason behind Australia’s victory.
Winning the toss Bangladesh captain, Mushfiqur Rahim opted to bat. No batsmen could go on to complete a century, but many got to starts but couldn’t quite convert their half-centuries into centuries. Half-centuries from the captain and Sabbir Rahman ensured Bangladesh reached a competitive 305 on the board in their 1st innings.
Lyon bagged seven wickets and was instrumental in keeping them down to a manageable total. After losing two wickets, it was David Warner and Peter Handscomb who resurrected the innings with their solid display of batsmanship as they played sensibly and countered their spinners pretty well. Both the batsmen took the cautious approach and accumulated runs rather than going for big shots.
After a brilliant partnership of 152 between the duo, Handscomb was brilliantly run out by Shakib AL Hasan as Warner was approaching his century. Mustafizur Rahman then wrecked the middle order and finished with four wickets as they lost their last seven wickets for 79 runs. Mehidy Hasan also bagged three wickets as Australia were bowled out for 377 ensuring a lead of 72 runs.
Again it was Nathan Lyon who spun the web around the Bangladesh batsmen in the 2nd essay as they succumbed to the spin magic and could only muster 157 in their 2nd essay. Captain Mushfiqur was the top scorer with 31 while Mominul Haque chipped in with 29. Barring Lyon, Steve O’Keefe and Pat Cummins were the two other wicket takers scalping a couple of wickets each.
The visitors were set a below par target of 86 to chase in their 2nd essay, and they completed the formality in the 16th over despite losing three wickets. Glenn Maxwell was the top scorer who finished the match with a couple of fours and couple of sixes to remain unbeaten on 25. Mustafizur Rahman, Taijul Islam, and Shakib Al Hasan bagged a wicket each
Brief Scores
Bangladesh 1st innings 305 all-out (Mushfiqur Rahim 68, Sabbir Rahman 66, Nathan Lyon 7/95)
Australia 1st innings 377 all-out (David Warner 123, Peter Handscomb 83, Mustafizur Rahman 4/84, Mehidy Hasan 3/93)
Bangladesh 2nd innings 157 all-out (Mushfiqur Rahim 31, Mominul Haque 29, Nathan Lyon 6/60, Pat Cummins 2/27)
Australia 87/3 (Glenn Maxwell 25*, Matt Renshaw 22, Mustafizur Rahman 1/16, Taijul Islam 1/26)
Australia won by seven wickets.