Building pressure through repeated dot balls was key to success: Nasum

Mitchell Marsh is confident his team can bounce back from its first-ever Twenty20 defeat against Bangladesh when the two nations face off again 24 hours after the hosts handed the tourists a 23-run defeat in Dhaka

Nasum Ahmed celebrates after taking the wicket of Australia's Mitchell Marsh in the first T20I at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium, Dhaka on 3 August 2021Prothom Alo

Captain Matthew Wade has said Australia need to be brave as they look to bounce back after their first-ever Twenty20 defeat to Bangladesh, reports news agency AFP.

Spinner Nasum Ahmed was the star for the hosts in their 23-run win as Australia failed to chase a relatively small T20 target in the first of five matches in the series in Dhaka on Tuesday.

Australia failed to get any batting momentum against the spin-dominated Bangladesh attack.

“We’re going to have to be brave and stick to our plans,” Wade told the website cricket.com.au.

“There’s not enough time to reinvent the wheel.”

“But there’s a difference between being brave and being smart when you’re chasing lower totals,” added Wade, who was appointed captain for this series with Aaron Finch out injured.

“You can’t go into your shell in T20 cricket ... You’re going to face the same bowlers tomorrow and over and over again -- you’ve got to find a way to just to work it out.”

Bangladesh hero Nasum, playing only his fifth T20 international, said building pressure through repeated dot balls was key to their success

Australia lost three wickets with just 11 runs on the board chasing 132, and Mitchell Marsh said the early stumble cost them.

“Anywhere you play around the world ... statistics show that it’s always difficult to win games from that position,” said Marsh.

Mitchell Marsh is confident his team can bounce back from its first-ever Twenty20 defeat against Bangladesh when the two nations face off again 24 hours after the hosts handed the tourists a 23-run defeat in Dhaka, reports Reuters.

It was tough for both teams but ultimately chasing 130, you’re only ever one partnership away and we just couldn’t get that tonight, so that’s where the game was lost
Mitchell Marsh, Australia all-rounder

Marsh top scored for the Australians with 45 runs but conceded improvements needed to be made against Bangladesh’s spin bowling.

“We all want to get better at playing spin and in these conditions there’s no hiding behind the fact that it’s tough,” said Marsh.

All-rounder Mahedi HAsan celebrtaes after picking up the wicket of Australia's Alex Carey in the very first ball of the innings
Prothom Alo

“We were able to keep Bangladesh, who have played in these conditions their whole lives, to 130.

“It was tough for both teams but ultimately chasing 130, you’re only ever one partnership away and we just couldn’t get that tonight, so that’s where the game was lost.”

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The defeat came in the first of five Twenty20 internationals between the teams as both nations prepare for October’s Twenty20 World Cup in the United Arab Emirates and Oman.

Australia have taken a team missing the likes of David Warner and Steve Smith while captain Aaron Finch returned home with a knee injury before the end of the West Indies leg of the tour, leaving Matthew Wade to captain the side.

Bangladesh players celebrate another wicket of Australia
Prothom Alo

“We’re not hiding behind the fact that we are going to face a lot of spin here, it’s going to be a challenge and we’ve got to be up and about for it,” Marsh said.

“But I think we’ve still got some really good players of spin here and hopefully we see that in the next few games.”

Bangladesh hero Nasum, playing only his fifth T20 international, said building pressure through repeated dot balls was key to their success.

Australia's Matthew Wade hits the ball
Reuters

“Our target was to check the run and bowl dot. We tried that and got wickets,” he said.

The second T20 will be played on Wednesday.

All five matches are being played behind closed doors at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Dhaka.