Australia defeated Bangladesh by 54 runs in the first quarter-final of the Hong Kong Sixes at Mission Road Ground in Mong Kok. With this win, Australia became the first team to reach the semi-finals of the tournament.
Batting first, Australia scored a record 149 runs for the loss of 2 wickets in the six-over match. Their batters were in full control from the start. Ben McDermott scored 51 runs off 14 balls with 8 sixes before taking a mandatory break. William Bosisto made 30 runs from 6 balls, hitting 5 sixes. Captain Alex Ross contributed 50 runs off 11 balls, including 7 sixes and 2 fours.
Chasing a big target, Bangladesh struggled from the start. They lost three batters in the very first over. By the time they scored 19 runs, they had already lost four wickets.
Rakibul Hasan and Abu Haider Rony added some stability with a 60-run partnership for the fifth wicket. Rakibul scored 25 runs off 10 balls with 1 four and 3 sixes. Rony stayed till the end and scored 50 runs off 18 balls with 2 fours and 7 sixes.
Earlier in the tournament, Bangladesh had beaten Sri Lanka by 14 runs to reach the quarter-finals. But after the loss to Australia, they moved to the plate stage. They will play in the plate semi-final on Sunday. The opponent for that match has not been decided yet.
