Misfiring Bangladesh look for lift as Australia eye series sweep

Taskin Ahmed could replace the off-colour Rishad Hossain for the final game of the series, while Australia might be tempted to give Josh Philippe and Matt Kuhnemann a game

Mohammad Isam

Published: Jun 20, 2026, 11:11 AM (1 hr ago)

Big picture: Bangladesh look to salvage pride

Bangladesh won the ODI series against Australia, but couldn't bring the same game into the T20Is, which Australia have taken 2-0 with just the one game left on Sunday. For their part, Australia have looked good in both matches in Chattogram, lifting themselves from the loss in the ODIs.

Australia would, however, want more from the likes of Josh Inglis, who hasn't got a big score on tour, and newcomers like Nikhil Chaudhary and Joel Davies, who wouldn't mind ending their time in Bangladesh with a significant contribution. Captain Mitchell Marsh too hasn't batted like his old self, so he is also due a big one.

For Bangladesh, going by the evidence of this series, there is work to do. Tanzid Hasan has to build on his good starts while Saif Hassan must find ways to be more consistent. Soumya Sarkar has wasted two chances with some ordinary shots, while stand-in captain Towhid Hridoy has had the same problem as Tanzid. In fact, Bangladesh's highest individual score this series is Saif's 42 in the second game. Three Australians - Matt Renshaw, Cooper Connolly and Tim David - have topped that.

Bangladesh have also had mixed results from their bowlers. They have backed newcomer Abdul Gaffar Saqlain, who also batted in the top six in one game, but he has been expensive while picking up wickets. Nahid Rana has bowled well but only in patches. Mustafizur Rahman and Nasum Ahmed have done their bit, but Rishad Hossain has not.

Before they let Australia leave their shores, Bangladesh would like to put together a strong game to end what has been a well-contested series.

Form guide

Bangladesh LLLWW (last five completed matches, most recent first)

Australia WWWLL

In the spotlight: Tanzid Hasan and Matt Renshaw

Tanzid Hasan would rue giving away his good start in the second T20I. He had struck five boundaries including a six within the first three-and-a-half overs, before falling to a Renshaw, a soft caught-and-bowled dismissal. Tanzid is not necessarily a concern for the team management, which thinks of him as an all-format player, but he would like to get a better body of work in place.

Matt Renshaw has discovered a few things about himself during Australia's white-ball tours of Pakistan and Bangladesh, as he put it himself. He has been Australia's most successful bowler, having picked up wickets regularly in all the five matches in Bangladesh. Renshaw's unbeaten 89 in the second T20I paved the way for Australia to get a big total on the board. He complemented David well, waiting for his moments only after David had softened the Bangladesh attack. Renshaw will go back home a better cricketer from this tour and a strong end would only make it better.

Team news: Taskin could return

Bangladesh could bring in Taskin Ahmed in place of the struggling Rishad in the third game.

Bangladesh (probable): 1 Saif Hassan, 2 Tanzid Hasan, 3 Soumya Sarkar, 4 Parvez Hossain Emon (wk), 5 Towhid Hridoy (capt), 6 Shamim Hossain, 7 Abdul Gaffar Saqlain, 8 Nasum Ahmed, 9 Rishad Hossain/Taskin Ahmed, 10 Mustafizur Rahman, 11 Nahid Rana

Australia are yet to field Josh Philippe and Matt Kuhnemann on tour, so there could be a case for them in the third T20I.

Australia (possible): 1 Mitchell Marsh (capt), 2 Josh Inglis (wk), 3 Cooper Connolly, 4 Tim David, 5 Matt Renshaw, 6 Nikhil Chaudhary, 7 Joel Davies, 8 Aaron Hardie, 9 Nathan Ellis, 10 Spencer Johnson, 11 Adam Zampa

Pitch and conditions

The Chattogram pitches will continue to be good for batters. There's little deviation for spinners while fast bowlers found a bit of carry in the second match of the series. Rain remains a concern going into the third game too.

Stats and trivia

Spencer Johnson's 22-run over in the second game was the most expensive over by an Australia bowler against Bangladesh in international cricket.

Bangladesh scored 52 and 71 in the two powerplays so far - those are their best against Australia in T20Is.

Mohammad Isam is ESPNcricinfo's Bangladesh correspondent. @isam84

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