Bangladesh HP suffer first defeat as Strikers Academy win by 21 runs

Darwin, 25 August 2026: Bangladesh High Performance XI suffered their first defeat of the Top End T20 Series after falling 21 runs short against Adelaide Strikers Academy at Marrara Cricket Ground on Tuesday.

Chasing 165, Bangladesh HP were restricted to 143-9 despite a fighting 66 from Ariful Islam, ending their unbeaten start to the tournament after three successive victories.

The defeat left Bangladesh HP on six points from four matches, level with hosts NT Strike, but the visitors remained at the top of the standings because of a superior net run rate.

After opting to bowl first, Bangladesh HP restricted the Strikers Academy to 164-9 from 20 overs, with Abdul Gaffar Saqlain and Md Rubel sharing seven wickets.

Thomas Kelly gave the Strikers a brisk start, striking six fours in a 20-ball 38, while Henry Hunt made 35 from 29 deliveries. Noah McFadyen added 31 off 28 as the hosts maintained a steady scoring rate despite losing wickets regularly.

Saqlain was Bangladesh's most successful bowler, returning 4-21 from four overs, while Rubel took 3-30. Rakibul Hasan and Abu Hider claimed one wicket each.

Bangladesh’s chase got off to the worst possible start when opener Jishan Alam was dismissed for a first-ball duck.

Habibur Rahman Sohan and Ariful steadied the innings with a 61-run partnership for the second wicket. Habibur made 23 from 18 balls before falling to Lachlan Bangs.

Ariful continued to hold the chase together and struck five fours and two sixes during his 54-ball innings. But Bangladesh struggled to accelerate around him, with Sabbir Rahman making six and captain Irfaan Shukkur five.

Shamim Hossain contributed 18, but the chase unraveled late when Bangladesh slipped from 127-4 to 130-9.

Bangs proved decisive for the Strikers, taking 4-29, including the wickets of Habibur, Shamim, Saqlain and Ariful. Waheguru Dhillon returned an economical 2-15, while Henry Thornton also picked up two wickets.

Bangladesh finished on 143-9, with Ripon Mondol unbeaten on eight and Rubel six not out.

Scores in brief:

Adelaide Strikers Academy won by 21 runs

Adelaide Strikers Academy 164-9 in 20 overs (Thomas Kelly 38, Henry Hunt 35, Noah McFadyen 31; Abdul Gaffar Saqlain 4-21, Md Rubel 3-30)

Bangladesh HP XI 143-9 in 20 overs (Ariful Islam 66, Habibur Rahman Sohan 23; Lachlan Bangs 4-29, Waheguru Dhillon 2-15)