Three in three: Shamim storm, Rubel magic keep Bangladesh HP unbeaten in Top End T20

Bangladesh High Performance XI continued their perfect start to the Top End T20 Series, beating Victoria CA XI by five wickets on Sunday to make it three wins from three matches and move to the top of the table.

Md Rubel produced a magical spell with four wickets for just 15 runs before Shamim Hossain's late hitting guided Bangladesh to 136 for five in 17.2 overs, with 16 balls to spare while chasing 132.

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Rubel was at the heart of Victoria's struggles from the outset. The off-spinner struck with his first delivery of the second over, bowling Campbell Kellaway for one, before returning in the fourth to remove Liam Blackford for 11.

Victoria were unable to build sustained momentum despite Sam Harper and Will Sutherland putting together a useful partnership. Sutherland made 30 off 25 balls before Rakibul Hasan had him stumped in the 11th over, ending a 29-run stand.

Rakibul was also instrumental in keeping the pressure on, finishing with three for 28. He had Tom Rogers caught for 13 before stumping Harry Dixon for a duck in the same over.

Rubel saved his best for the closing stages. He bowled Harry Hoekstra for one in the 17th over and then clean-bowled Austin Anlezark for a duck two balls later to complete a superb four-wicket haul.

Harper remained Victoria's main source of runs, striking six fours and a six in his 36-ball 49. But Ripon Mondol ended his resistance in the final over, trapping him lbw as Victoria were bowled out for 131 in 19.1 overs.

Bangladesh's chase, however, began in worrying fashion. Habibur Rahman Sohan fell for a duck in the first over and, despite brief contributions from Jishan Alam and Ariful Islam, Bangladesh slipped to 37 for four after Sabbir Rahman was dismissed for five.

Shamim then changed the game. The left-hander began taking the attack to the bowlers, hitting a six over fine leg off Will Sutherland before joining forces with captain Irfaan Shukkur.

Shukkur provided the perfect support, smashing two sixes in the 14th over as the pair added 83 for the fifth wicket. Their partnership transformed Bangladesh's chase, taking the required rate from a concern to a formality.

Shukkur eventually fell for a valuable 43 off 32 balls, but Bangladesh needed only 12 from 25 deliveries at that point.

Shamim finished the job in style. He launched another six over deep square leg in the 16th over and brought up his half-century from 33 balls with a maximum over midwicket in the final over. He remained unbeaten on 51, with two fours and three sixes.

Abdul Gaffar Saqlain struck a four and finished unbeaten on six from four balls as Bangladesh completed the chase with 16 deliveries remaining.