Bangladesh ‘A’ suffered a three-wicket defeat against Melbourne Stars Academy in the Top End T20 Series at the Marrara Cricket Ground in Darwin on Thursday.
Sent into bat, Bangladesh scored 156-8 in 20 overs, and in reply, Melbourne chased down the target with four balls to spare, thanks to Jonathan Merlo’s half-century.
Last year’s runners-up managed just two wins in five matches, and their qualification to the next round now hangs in the balance.
Chasing the target, Melbourne made a shaky start after Bangladesh bowlers fought hard, leaving them at 81-5.
However, Merlo’s middle-order heroics of 61 off 38 deliveries, featuring four boundaries and three sixes, followed by a partnership of 65 runs with Chris Howe, helped stabilise their innings and snatched the match.
Merlo was dismissed with 11 runs still needed for the win, then Howe played an unbeaten 15-run knock to finish the match, while skipper Sam Harper contributed 29 runs.
For Bangladesh, Rakibul Hasan (2-23) and Hasan Mahmud (2-21) took two wickets each.
Earlier, Bangladesh made a poor start with openers Naim Sheikh and Jishan Alam struggling to make an impact, as Naim was dismissed for 19 off 21 balls, while Jishan scored a run-a-ball 13.
Afif Hossain failed to continue his good form, being dismissed without scoring, leaving the board on 50-3, which added to more troubles.Â
Top-order batter Saif Hassan scored the highest with 45 off 35 balls, including two fours and a six, while captain Nurul Hasan made 33 to add a 63-run partnership for the fourth wicket and steady the innings.
But Saif and Sohan’s quick dismissals left Bangladesh in a tight spot before Yasir Ali played a rapid 17-ball 29 to push the score past 150.
Hamish McKenzie claimed figures of 3-21 for Melbourne.
Bangladesh will play their final match against Adelaide Strikers Academy on Saturday.