WT20 Today: Aussies alive and kicking

LAST NIGHT

Australia keep their World Twenty20 campaign alive with an impressive three-wicket win against a valiant Bangladesh team.

For Australia, it was the first of five victories needed to win the World T20. Smith's charges travel to Mohali tomorrow (Tuesday) for their remaining two group matches – Pakistan on Friday followed by India on Sunday.

While much of the attention has been focused on Aaron Finch's exclusion, Usman Khawaja has made the most of his inclusion in Australia's T20 outfit at the top of the order. No batsman in Australia's squad is in better form than the languid left-hander, and on Monday night, a sterling 58 not only justified his selection but cemented his position. 

Bangladesh were limping to an underwhelming 130 before Mahmudullah stepped up and lifted his side to a competitive total with a late flurry. Finishing unbeaten and one short of a well-deserved half-century, Mahmudallah hit seven fours a furious six.

It took 56 balls across four matches, but Adam Zampa finally captured his first T20 wicket for Australia. The wicket-taking delivery was a second-ball loosener that was crunched by Mohammad Mithun to Shane Watson at deep midwicket. He didn't wait long to get his second, trapping Shuvagata Hom lbw with a straighter one that skidded on seven balls later. 

Zampa then added a third, producing a thick edge from Shakib Al Hasan's cut shot that found its way to the safe hands of Nathan Coulter-Nile at short third man. 

It's been a trying tournament for Bangladesh, who had the joy of progressing to the Super 10 phase quickly replaced by sadness and frustration due to losses to Pakistan and Australia and the untimely suspension of two key bowlers. While the Tigers can still mathematically make the semis, their tournament future now relies on every team winning two matches and losing two, and some thumpings mixed in there to boot. 

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Image Id: ~/media/2B20F719279E470996F64197F5B731B6?h=778& Image Caption: Mohammad Mithun goes flying but the skier from Shane Watson safely hits the turf // Getty

AUSTRALIA'S MEN

It's a travel day for Steve Smith's charges, and they'll be a bit more comfortable today than they were on leaving Dharamshala. They travel to Mohali on Tuesday - with a flight change in Delhi - ahead of their remaining two group matches – Pakistan on Friday followed by India on Sunday.

AUSTRALIA'S WOMEN

The Commonwealth Bank Southern Stars suffered a humbling six-wicket defeat to New Zealand in their key World T20 showdown at Nagpur's VCA Stadium.

Quick Single: Stars uprooted by White Ferns

Australia were defending 8-103 after the White Ferns spinners tore through their top order, before New Zealand put together a very strong case for why they should be considered the favourites for this tournament – if not outright, than at least on level pegging with England – as they chased the total in just 16.2 overs.

The Southern Stars will now need convincing victories in their final two matches against Sri Lanka and Ireland to be sure of a berth in the semi-finals.

Tuesday is a travel day for the women's team, they are off to Delhi before their crunch match against Sri Lanka at the Feroz Shah Kotla on Thursday.

TONIGHT'S MATCHES (LIVE on Fox Sports 2 from 8.50pm AEDT)

It's a huge Group 2 showdown for Pakistan tonight when they face the red-hot New Zealand Black Caps in Mohali.

The Kiwis are unbeaten in two matches, having dispatched India and Australia, and sit proudly atop the table. A win against Pakistan would secure them a spot in the semi-finals and all but condemn Pakistan to an early exit. 

Pakistan overcame Bangladesh in their opening match, but were thwarted by a Virat Kohli masterclass in the hotly anticipated subcontinent showdown at Eden Gardens. How they dust themselves off from that and handle the Kiwi spinners will be key. 

New Zealand won a three-match T20 series at home against Pakistan in January, so the green team have it all to do if they are to keep their campaign alive.  

Before that, it's a key match-up in the women's tournament as the powerhouse England team face an Indian side desperate to make up for their rain-affected defeat to Pakistan. 

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