Bangladesh defended 106 runs astutely to beat Nepal by 21 runs in their fourth and last game of the T20 World Cup group phase at St Vincent today, thanks to a tremendous bowling of pacers Tanzim Hasan Sakib and Mustafizur Rahman.
The victory, Bangladesh’s third in the group phase, propelled them to the Super 8 berth for only the second time in the tournament’s history. This came to a good news for the country at a moment when it is celebrating Muslim’s second biggest festival Eid-ul-Adha.
Last time they moved to the second round of the tournament was in 2007, which was the inaugural edition of the tournament.
Tanzim Sakib claimed his career-best 4-7 while Mustafizur Rahman gave him the apt support with 3-7 as Bangladesh skittled out Nepal for just 85 runs in 19.2 overs after being bowled out for only 106 in 19.3 overs.
Shakib Al Hasan ended with 2-9 from 2.2 overs while Taskin Ahmed took 1-29 to further derail Nepal whose only success in the game was to win the toss.
And they predictably sent Bangladesh into bat first, which their bowlers justified right.
Opener Tanzid Hasan Tamim got a first ball duck and skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto’s lean patch continued when he was dismissed for 4.
Shakib Al Hasan played patiently but couldn’t last longer. Before being out, he made the team-best 17 off 22 with two fours.
A partnership was needed to take the score to a good level but Bangladesh were unable to form any significant partnership. Mahmudullah Riyad and Rishad Hossain made identical 13 and their little knock proved to be decisive in taking the side past 100. Taskin Ahmed was not out on 12.
Despite being bowled out cheaply, Bangladesh were still favourite because of the wicket. As they regularly played in this kind of wicket back in home, they were all over Nepal once they started defending the total.
Tanzim Sakib struck twice in his second over and Nepal’s rot began from there. Mustafizur Rahman then joined the party and the duo ripped through Nepal top and middle order in no time to leave them 26-5 in seventh over.
Kushal Malla who made team-high 27 and Diependera Singh Airee who scored 25 scared Bangladesh by sharing 52 runs for the sixth wicket but when Mustafizur broke through with the wicket of Malla, Bangladesh sneaked a chance.
Shakib and Taskin then cleaned up the tail as Nepal lost the last five wickets for just 7 runs.
Bangladesh however will get India, Australia and Afghanistan as their opponents in the Super 8 phase.
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