In the first two matches, Bangladesh A top-order batters had made promising starts with the bat. However, against Perth Scorchers today, that consistency disappeared. The only exception was Afif Hossain, whose fighting innings helped the team cross the 100-run mark and post a somewhat defendable score. But the hosts, Perth, chased it down with ease.
Winning the toss in Darwin and opting to bat first, Bangladesh ‘A’ managed 123 runs for 9 wickets in their allotted 20 overs. Afif remained unbeaten on 42 runs, the team’s highest score, while Rakibul added 16. In reply, Perth Scorchers comfortably reached the target in just 18 overs, losing 5 wickets along the way.
Bangladesh A
Despite the low total, Bangladesh A bowlers showed good fight early on. Hasan Mahmud bowled brilliantly with the new ball and gave an early breakthrough in just the second over. Later, Rakibul Hasan also struck, and the hosts lost 3 wickets even before reaching 50.
However, Bangladesh could not maintain that momentum. In the middle order, Jewel Cordis steadied Perth’s innings with a responsible knock. His unbeaten 40 runs guided the hosts to victory with 12 balls to spare.
Earlier, Bangladesh A batting collapsed once again. Opener Naim Sheikh failed to find form, scoring only 5 runs off 6 balls before departing, breaking a 9-run opening stand. In-form Jishan also fell cheaply, managing just 9 runs off 13 balls. Coming in at number three, Saif Hasan was dismissed for only 1 run, leaving Bangladesh in trouble at 25 for 3.
Afif Hossain then tried to rebuild the innings but found little support from the other end. Mahidul Islam Ankon and Nurul Hasan Sohan spent some time at the crease but couldn’t convert their starts into big scores. Afif’s unbeaten 42 helped Bangladesh ‘A’ cross the 100-run mark, but it wasn’t enough to prevent defeat.