Australia’s second Champions Trophy washout on Monday left the team’s chances of progressing in the balance and saved Bangladesh from elimination.
Bangladesh, which had to avoid defeat to keep alive any hopes of qualification from Group A, was skittled for 182 but Australia’s likely stroll to victory was curtailed by bad weather at 83-1.
Australian frustration at The Oval was amplified given they appeared just four more overs away from securing an all-important two points.
Regulations state 20 overs must be completed to activate the Duckworth-Lewis method, which would almost certainly have ruled in Australia’s favor, but only 16 were played meaning the points were shared.
Australia might have to beat England on Saturday to advance to the semifinals.
Australia’s opening game against New Zealand was also halted by rain while Bangladesh stays in contention, just, despite their opening loss to England.
Bangladesh captain Mashrafe Mortaza was grateful for the lucky escape.
“Australia was far ahead of us, but in the last match against New Zealand, Australia were in the same position (as us), so you can’t do anything with the weather,†Mortaza said.
Bangladesh must beat New Zealand on Friday in Cardiff to have a chance of going through.
As well as the elements, Bangladesh has Tamim Iqbal to thank after he followed up his 128 against England with 95 in south London.
Tamim was one of only three batsmen in his side to make double figures, and the only one to pass 30.
He eventually fell to the imperious Mitchell Starc, who claimed three wickets in four balls and finished with 4-29.
With heavy rain forecasted, Australia was expected to race out of the blocks but David Warner and Aaron Finch showed restraint to reach 40 unbeaten after seven overs . Bangladesh’s sole wicket arrived when Rubel Hossain pinged one back onto Finch’s pad but captain Steve Smith quickly restored order, a lifted drive through the covers taking Australia past 50.
Rain meant the match was stopped at 6:43 pm and finally abandoned around two and a half hours later. On Tuesday, England plays New Zealand in Cardiff.
England will advance to the semifinals with a win. New Zealand will top the group if it does.
Lineups:
Australia: Aaron Finch, David Warner, Steve Smith (captain), Moises Henriques, Glenn Maxwell, Travis Head, Matthew Wade, Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins, Adam Zampa, Josh Hazlewood.
Bangladesh: Tamim Iqbal, Soumya Sarkar, Imrul Kayes, Shakib Al Hasan, Mushfiqur Rahim, Sabbir Rahman, Mehedi Hasan, Mahmudullah, Mashrafe Mortaza (captain), Mustafizur Rahman, Rubel Hossain.