AUS v BAN, 1st T20I: Spinners Zampa and Davies shine as Australia beat Bangladesh in opener

Slow bowlers Adam Zampa and Joel Davies claimed three wickets each to lead Australia to a four-wicket win over Bangladesh in the opening match of their three-match T20 series on Wednesday.

Leg-spinner Nikhil Chaudhary, the first Indian-born male cricketer to represent Australia in 60 years, also took a wicket as Bangladesh were bowled out for 131 in 19 overs.

Cooper Connolly, who hit 149 to help Australia win the final ODI by one wicket and avoid a three-match series sweep against Bangladesh, hit 47 with four fours and three sixes to guide his side to 133-6 in 18.2 overs.

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He remained calm after Australia lost Mitchell Marsh, back after missing the ODIs due to an ankle injury, and fellow opener Josh Inglis in quick succession.

Abdul Gaffar picked up a debut wicket when he had Connolly caught after sharing a 40-run stand with Tim David (20) for the third wicket. The left-arm paceman finished with figures of 2-32.

Bangladesh were led by Tawhid Hriody after Litton Das was ruled out due to a calf injury he sustained during the third ODI.

Hridoy won the toss and elected to bat first, but no Bangladesh batsman offered any resistance to a disciplined Australian spin attack.

Bangladesh were 39-1 in the fifth over but Zampa and Davies then caused a collapse as the home side lost seven wickets for 60 runs.

The second T20 is on Friday.

Published on June 17, 2026