With 10 points from six games, Australia are currently at the top of the table and look rest assured to be one of the participating teams in the semifinals.
Australia's skipper Aaron Finch celebrates his half century during the 26th match of 2019 World Cup between Australia and Bangladesh at Trent Bridge in Nottingham, England on June 20, 2019. (Photo Credit: Twitter/@ICC)
Despite Bangladesh giving one of their best shots in the 382-run chase against Australia, they fell short of 48 runs. Though the Bangladeshi Tigers lost the match, their brave attempt won the hearts of many cricket fans. Even Australia skipper Aaron Finch admitted that Bangladesh did give them a few butterflies during their unsuccessful chase of the gigantic score in the World Cup game played between the two sides at Trent Bridge in Nottingham on Thursday.
Wicketkeeper-batsman Mushfiqur Raheem played a brilliant knock of unbeaten 102 and was well supported by Mahmudullah (69) during the course of their chase. The duo together stitched a 127-run partnership and kept Bangladesh in the hunt. Before that, opener Tamim Iqbal (62) and Shakib al Hasan (41) also shared a 79-run partnership for the second wicket and made sure the Bangla Tigers were not out of the race.
Unfortunately, Bangladesh’s stellar performance could not win them the match as the target proved too big for them.
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“Every time there was a partnership going, there were a few butterflies,” said Finch at the post-match presentation ceremony.
“We have been pretty consistent. We have guys who have World Cup experience. Having good partnerships with bat and ball is important,” he added.
With 10 points from six games, Australia are currently at the top of the table and look rest assured to be one of the participating teams in the semifinals. However, Finch feels it’s a bit early for the reigning champions to think about the last-four stage of the showpiece event.
“Not yet thinking about semis. Hopefully, we will secure a place in the top four,” he said.
Earlier, David Warner’s 166, accompanied by Usman Khawaja’s 89 and Glenn Maxwell’s 32 off just 10 balls, helped Australia reach 381 runs in their stipulated 50 overs.
With five points from six games, Bangladesh now need to win all their remaining three matches against Afghanistan (24 June), India (2 July) and Pakistan (5 July) and hope for favourable outcomes in matches of other teams as well if they have to secure a spot in the semis.
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