Sports desk:

Bangladesh on Tuesday defeated Australia by 23 runs in their first Twenty20 match powered by left-arm spinner Nasum Ahmed’s 4-19 at Mirpur stadium in Dhaka.

To chase 131 runs Bangladesh scored for seven wickets, Australia was bowled out for 108 in 20 overs in the evening. This was Australia’s lowest total against Bangladesh in the T-20 format.

Team Australia arrived in Bangladesh last week to play five Twenty20 matches.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina congratulated Bangladeshi cricketers for their victory that came with super performance from the bowlers. Left-arm pacer Mustafizur Rahman and Shoriful Islam took two wickets. Shakib Al Hasan and off-spinner Mahedi Hasan also took one wicket each.

Australia’s Mitchell Marsh scored 45 before being sixth man out.

Shakib 36 off 33 after Bangladesh was chosen to bowl. Opener Mohammad Naim struck a 29-ball 30. Afif Hossain added an unbeaten 23 off 16.

Hazlewood (3-24) dismissed Mahmudullah for 20 with a knuckle ball. He also took the wicket of Shakib.

The second match will be played on Wednesday.