Australia beat Bangladesh by eight wickets

Pune: Mitchell Marsh made 177 not out as Australia ended their group-stage campaign of the World Cup with a decisive eight-wicket win over Bangladesh in Pune on Saturday.

Australia, already assured of a semi-final against South Africa next week, chased down a target of 307 with nearly five overs to spare after Marsh shared century partnerships with both David Warner (53) and Steve Smith (63 not out).

This was Australia's seventh successive win after their quest for a record-extending sixth men's World Cup title started with two defeats.

Five-time champions Australia wanted to maintain the momentum that had seen them win six matches in a row after losing their first two games.

Bangladesh, who'd lost six of their eight games, were looking for a victory in a quest for a top-eight finish that would qualify them for the 2025 Champions Trophy in Pakistan.

Tanzid Hasan and Liton Das put on 76 after Australia captain Pat Cummins won the toss but both openers fell for 36.

Sean Abbott, in for rested fellow fast bowler Mitchell Starc, produced a fine short ball to have Tanzid caught and bowled on his World Cup debut.

Left-hander Najmul, leading Bangladesh in place of captain Shakib Al Hasan, out with a broken finger, hit six fours, before he was needlessly run out by Labuschagne's excellent throw to wicketkeeper Josh Inglis to end a stand of 64.

Mahmudullah, the only Bangladesh batsman to have scored a hundred at the tournament, hit three sixes before the 37-year-old veteran was run out for 32 by a superb under-arm throw from the diving Labuschagne.

Hridoy had just completed a 61-ball fifty when he was dropped by Inglis who just failed to hold a spectacular one-handed catch off a top edge as he ran back.

He was eventually dismissed when he holed out off Marcus Stoinis to spark a flurry of wickets as the innings fell away.

Brief scores: Bangladesh 306-8 in 50 overs (Towhid Hridoy 74) v Australia

Agencies