BAN vs AUS: Matt Renshaw shines with bat and ball as Australia clinch T20I series against Bangladesh

NEW DELHI: Matt Renshaw starred with both bat and ball as Australia defeated Bangladesh by seven runs in the second T20I on Friday to seal the three-match series with an unassailable 2-0 lead.

Renshaw smashed a career-best unbeaten 89 to power Australia to 196/5, their highest T20I total against Bangladesh, before chipping in with the ball to help restrict the hosts to 189/6 in a thrilling contest.

Bangladesh, who had lost the opening match by four wickets, came close in the chase but ultimately fell short despite a strong start. Aaron Hardie was Australia’s most successful bowler with figures of 2/40.

After opting to bat, Australia got off to a steady start through captain Mitchell Marsh and Josh Inglis. However, Bangladesh struck back early as left-arm spinner Nasum Ahmed trapped Inglis lbw for 11 before pacer Nahid Rana removed Marsh for 20, leaving the visitors in trouble.

Australia’s innings was revived by a match-defining 97-run partnership off just 50 balls between Renshaw and Tim David for the fourth wicket. David blasted 45 off 26 deliveries, hitting two fours and four sixes before falling to Abdul Gaffar’s slower ball.

Renshaw continued to dominate, striking four fours and five sixes in his unbeaten 52-ball 89. His late acceleration ensured Australia finished just four runs short of the 200-mark.

Bangladesh launched a strong response, racing to 72/1 in the powerplay — their highest six-over total against Australia in T20Is. Tanzid Hasan led the charge with a quickfire 30 off 15 balls.

Australia found the breakthrough when Renshaw held onto a return catch to dismiss Tanzid. Saif Hassan then kept Bangladesh in the hunt with 42 off 33 deliveries, but Australia’s spinners tightened the screws during the middle overs.

Despite a late push from the lower order, Bangladesh could not find the boundaries consistently enough in the final overs and finished on 189/6, seven runs short of the target.

The third and final T20I will be played in Chattogram on Sunday.