CHATTOGRAM, June 19, (V7N) – Bangladesh conceded the three-match T20 International series against Australia after tasting a 7-run defeat in the second game at the Bir Shrestha Shaheed Flight Lieutenant Motiur Rahman Stadium today. After electing to bat first, Australia compiled a hefty 196-5, its highest total against Bangladesh in this format, thanks to a blistering 52-ball 89 from Matt Renshaw. Bangladesh managed 189-6 at the end, giving Australia an unassailable 2-0 lead after winning the first game by four wickets.

Opting to bat first, Australia made a brisk start through captain Mitchell Marsh and Josh Inglis, though neither converted his start into a substantial innings. Left-arm spinner Nasum Ahmed trapped Inglis for 11, while pacer Mustafizur Rahman dismissed Marsh for 20. Nahid Rana removed Cooper Connolly for 1 before Renshaw and Tim David put on 97 runs from 50 balls to pave the way for a big total. David hammered 45 off 26 before being dismissed by Abdul Gaffar Saqlain, while Renshaw smashed four fours and five sixes to guide the lower order.

Bangladesh made a whirlwind start, with Tanzid Hasan blasting 15-ball 30 before being dismissed by Renshaw. Bangladesh raced to 72-1 in the first six overs, their highest powerplay score against Australia in T20s, keeping hopes of levelling the series alive. Saif Hassan anchored the innings with a team-best 42, while Parvez Hossain Emon contributed 36 off 22 balls as Bangladesh appeared set for a series-levelling victory.

Aaron Hardie sent back Emon, and Australian spinners then stifled Bangladesh in the middle overs to slowly take control of the game. Skipper Towhid Hridoy battled hard, but Bangladesh needed 23 runs in the final over to seal the game. However, they fell short by eight runs at the end. Hardie was the most successful bowler for Australia with 2-40.

The win marked a remarkable turnaround for Australia, who had been comprehensively beaten 2-1 by Bangladesh in the preceding ODI series. The third and final T20 is scheduled for Sunday at the same venue, where Bangladesh will look to salvage some pride after already losing the series.

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