Bangladesh secure Super 8 berth with 21-run victory against Nepal
St Vincent: Bangladesh played their final group stage match against Nepal at the Arnos Vale stadium located in Saint Vincent. Bangladesh was in pole position to qualify for the Super 8 stage because of their impressive run-rate in comparison to the Netherlands, but had to win this match in order to ensure their spot. On the other hand, Nepal was already eliminated from the competition so they were playing for pride.
Nepal won the toss and invited Bangladesh to bat first. They had a disastrous start to their innings as opener Tanzid Hasan lost his wicket on the very first ball. The wickets never really stopped tumbling for Bangladesh as they lost half of their batsman at the score of only 52. Bangladesh’s star players like Shakib Al Hasan, Mahmudullah Riyad and Towhid Hridoy weren’t able to impact their side’s innings thanks to Nepal’s brilliant bowling display.
Cameos by tailenders Rishad Hossain and Taskin Ahmed managed to take Bangladesh over 100 runs, however they weren’t able to save their side from getting bowled out for only 106 runs in 19.3 overs. With this performance, Nepal once again proved how their bowling attack can’t be taken lightly.
In reply, Nepal’s batsman also struggled to cope with Bangladesh’s bowling attack and in particular, Tanzim Hasan. Nepal’s top order batsmen failed miserably and the first half of the side was bundled out for only 26 runs with Tanzim taking 4 wickets. Kushal Malla alongside Dipendra Singh Airee formed an impressive partnership of 52 runs to steady Nepal’s ship. At one point it even looked as if both of them would take Nepal through but Mustafizur Rahman had other ideas.
Mustafizur dismissed both the batsmen in back-to-back overs to break Nepal’s backbone and put Bangladesh in the driving seat. Shakib Al Hasan also chipped in by taking Nepal’s last 2 wickets and bowling them out for only 85 runs resulting in Bangladesh winning the match by 21 runs. With this win not only did Bangladesh secure their spot in the Super 8, but also defended the lowest total in T20 World Cup history. Bangladesh became the final team to qualify for the Super 8 stage and are placed in Group 1 alongside India, Australia and Afghanistan.
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