Bangladesh ‘A’ concluded their Top End T20 series with a seven-wicket defeat to the Adelaide Strikers Academy, finishing a disappointing campaign in Australia. With just two wins from five group matches, Nurul Hasan Sohan’s side had already been eliminated from the tournament, leaving the final game largely a formality. Batting first, Bangladesh ‘A’ posted 175 for four, but the Strikers chased the target comfortably, losing only three wickets.
The series was marked by inconsistency for Bangladesh ‘A’. Early matches saw instability in the batting order and frequent loss of wickets, though the team did recover at times. They opened the campaign with a 79-run defeat against Pakistan Shaheens but bounced back in the second match with a 32-run victory over Nepal.
However, defeats followed against Perth Scorchers Academy by five wickets and against Northern Territory Strike, before a narrow 22-run win provided brief respite. A three-wicket loss to Melbourne Stars Academy confirmed Bangladesh ‘A’’s exit from the group stage, making the final match largely inconsequential.
Chasing 176, the Strikers’ openers, Mackenzie Harvey and Jack Winter, built an imposing 123-run partnership. Within 13 overs, they had already surpassed 120 runs. Harvey played aggressively from the outset, while Winter supported him well. Winter was eventually dismissed by Mritunjay Chowdhury, caught at short mid-wicket by Saif Hasan.
Saif Hasan then struck twice more, dismissing Harry Nielsen and T O’Connell in quick succession. Harvey, meanwhile, anchored the innings at the other end, scoring a brilliant 100 off 53 balls, guiding the Strikers to a comprehensive victory in Adelaide.
After losing the toss, Nurul Hasan Sohan chose to bat first. Bangladesh ‘A’ got off to a solid start, with Naeem Sheikh and Jisan Alam putting on 48 runs. Jisan then added a further 39 runs alongside Saif Hasan, reaching his half-century in the process.
Jisan was dismissed for 50 off 39 balls, while Saif had earlier scored 15. Of Bangladesh’s three wickets, two were taken by Hanno Jacobs and one by Jersies Wadier. Sohan himself could not contribute much, being dismissed for six runs by Jacobs.
Afif Hossain and Yasir Ali stabilised the innings in the later stages. Their fifth-wicket partnership of 70 runs off just 29 balls ensured Bangladesh ‘A’ posted a competitive total, but it proved insufficient against the well-drilled Strikers.