DHAKA, Aug 21, 2025 (BSS)- Bangladesh A tasted a three-wicket defeat to Melbourne Stars in their fifth match of the Top End T20 series at DXC Arena in Darwin, Australia today.

The defeat, Bangladesh's third in the tournament, left their aspiration to play the semifinal in limbo.

Bangladesh put up 156-8, a total that Melbourne overhauled with four balls to spare, reaching 157-7.

Jonothan Merlo hammered 38 ball-61, featured with four fours and three sixes to lead the charge. 

His innings was key in overhauling the target despite Bangladesh bowlers kept the things under control reducing Melbourne to 81-5 in 12th over.But Merlo single-handedly demolished Bangladesh to lead the side to the third victory in the fifth match.

Top order batter Saif Hasan made team-best 45 while captain Nurul Hasan Sohan added 33 for Bangladesh. Yasir Ali later played 17 ball-29 to push the score past 150.

Bangladesh made a poor start after being sent to bat first with Naim Sheikh and Jishan Alam struggling to make an impact. Naim was dismissed for 19 after playing 21 balls while Jishan made run-a-ball-13.

Afif Hossain who scored 40 plus runs in the past three matches in a row was out for duck, leaving Bangladesh A further in trouble.

Saif and Sohan added 63 runs for the fourth wicket to steady the innings but dismissal of both in quick succession left Bangladesh in an awkward situation again before Yasir gave a strong finish.

Hamish McKenzie claimed 3-21 for Melbourne.

Bangladesh earlier won two and lost two in the first four matches of the tournament.