ANTIGUA: Pat Cummins claimed a hat-trick to help Australia restrict Bangladesh to 140-8 in the Super Eights match of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 here at Sir Vivian Richards Stadium on Thursday.

Cummins’ hat-trick was spanned across two overs as he dismissed Mahmudullah (2) and Mahedi Hasan (1) on the last two deliveries of the 18th over.

He then got the prized scalp of Bangladesh’s settled batter Towhid Hridoy to claim his first hat-trick in T20I cricket.

Earlier, Mitchell Starc bowled Tanzid Hasan (0) on the third ball of the innings to draw first blood after Australia opted to field.

However, Litton Das and skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto knitted a 58-run stand for the second wicket, with the latter scoring the bulk of runs, to force Bangladesh’s comeback.

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Das scored 16 off 25 before falling Adam Zampa, while Glenn Maxwell removed Rishad Hossain to reduce Bangladesh to 67-2 in 10 overs.

Zampa struck again to send Shanto back to the pavilion. Bangladesh captain top-scored with a cautious 41-run knock from 36 balls with the help of five boundaries and one six.

Towhid Hridoy then played a quick cameo of 40 runs from 28 balls, laced with two sixes and two fours before becoming the third victim of Cummins.

Taskin Ahmed scored an unbeaten 13 off 7 to drag Bangladesh’s total to 140-8 in their allotted 20 overs.

Cummins led the bowling attack of Australia with the figures of 3-29, while Zampa managed two wickets.

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