Bangladesh's match winning pair Nurul Hasan and Afif Hossain react during their second T20I at home to Australia Wednesday AFP

Afif was adjudged man of the match for his brave innings on a relatively slow pitch where chasing 122 under lights seemed difficult

Bangladesh held their nerve to clinch a five-wicket victory over visiting Australia in their second T20I in Mirpur’s Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium Thursday, and go 2-0 up in the five-match series.

Chasing a moderate target of 122, the Tigers were under pressure as they were 67 losing half their side by the 12th over of the innings, but youngsters Afif Hossain and Nurul Hasan halted the slide and guided them to glory with a resolute 56-run partnership off 44 deliveries.

Bangladesh started their chase nervously as opener Soumya Sarkar was cleaned up for nought by left-arm quick Mitchell Starc.

Soumya was beaten by pace completely and lost his defence while trying to play an audacious shot.

Departure of opening batsman Mohammad Naim (nine) in the fourth over added pressure for the home side, but experienced Shakib and Mahedi Hasan formed an unconvincing but crucial 37-run stand for the third wicket.

But both Shakib (26) and Mahedi (23) lost their wickets after getting set and Bangladesh faced a mini collapse when skipper Mahmudullah got out cheaply playing on from way outside the stumps.

But Afif and Nurul formed a brilliant partnership and ensured a superb win for the Tigers with eight balls to spare.

Afif’s courageous 37-run innings from 31 deliveries was composed with five fours and one six over midwicket.

Nurul was equally impressive with his 22 off 21 balls and these two confirmed Bangladesh's win against Australia in back to back matches, first time it has happened in any format.

Afif was adjudged man of the match for his brave innings on a relatively difficult pitch where chasing 122 under lights seemed difficult.

Earlier, Australia captain Mathew Wade won the toss and this time elected to bat first.

Both the teams remained unchanged from their first encounter at the same venue Tuesday where the Tigers won by 23 runs.

Off-spinner Mahedi opened the bowling and the Australia openers survived the first two overs with positive intent, scoring a couple of boundaries early on.

But Mahedi struck in the third over as Alex Carey get caught at mid wicket after a run-a-ball 11.

Left-arm pacer Mustafizur Rahman picked up the second scalp for the Tigers as Josh Philippe was completely outfoxed by a slower delivery that pitched outside leg stump and rattled the timber.

Australia managed to score 32 in the powerplay losing two wickets and Bangladesh bowlers carried the momentum with economical bowling in the following overs.

Moises Henriques and Mitchell Marsh put on a crucial 57-run partnership for the third wicket but Shakib and Mustafizur got these two important wickets in the 14th and 16th over.

Australia lost momentum after losing Henriques (30) and Marsh (45) and Bangladesh put more pressure on the Aussies by bagging regular wickets.

Eventually the visitors managed to score 121 losing seven wickets in their 20 overs, which was below the par score.

Mustafizur took three wickets conceding 23 runs, while Shariful Islam picked up two.