Bangladesh batters were a no show against Nepal but young pacer Tanzim Hasan Sakib’s sensational spell helped them avoid a defeat despite posting a target of 107. This is the lowest target defended in T20 World Cups. In a low-scoring game at Arnos Vale Ground, Kingstown, Bangladesh won by 21 runs to qualify for the Super 8 stage.
Collapse in powerplay overs
Earlier, Nepal skipper Rohit Paudel won the toss and opted to field first. Sompal Kami started with the wicket of Tanzid Hasan off the first ball of the match. Dipendra Singh Airee knocked over to dismiss captain Najmul Hossain Shanto in second over. Kami in his third over got the wicket of opener Litton Das to put Bangladesh under pressure. In the sixth over, Paudel introduced himself into the attack and got the wicket of Towhid Hridoy. Bangladesh were 31/4 after powerplay overs. To make matters worse, Shakib Al Hasan's late call led to Mahmudullah getting run out for a run-a-ball 13. At the halfway stage, Bangladesh were 57/5.
Late strikes help Bangladesh get past 100
Shakib could not do much either and got out lbw to Paudel. He scored 17 runs from 22 balls. Sandeep Lamicchane in 14th over got his first wicket of the tournament. Sakib got bowled for a single-digit score. Lamichhane in his last over got the wicket of Jaker Ali to complete 100 T20I wickets. Rishad Hossain provided the much-needed acceleration. He hit Kushal Bhurtel for a six and a four. Dipendra came back into the attack to dismiss Rishad as Nepal lost nine wickets for 88 runs in 18th over. Taskin Ahmed contributed with a crucial 15-ball 12 before Mustafizur Rahman was run out. Bangladesh got bowled out for 106 with three balls left in the innings.
Sakib’s sensational spell
Nepal's run chase started with a boundary via inside edge. In the third over, Sakib struck twice to dismiss Bhurtel and Anil Sah. Sakib got involved in a heated exchange with Nepal skipper Paudel. The Bangladesh pacer had the last laugh as he dismissed Puadel in the fifth over. Mustafizur was introduced in the attack and dismissed opener Aasif Sheikh for a 14-ball 17. Nepal were 24/4 after powerplay overs. Sakib continued to bowl after powerplay overs. He dismissed Sundeep Jora to reduce Nepal to 26/5 after seven overs.
No fireworks in slog overs
Dipendra and Malla tried to revive the run chase in the middle overs. Nepal got to 50 runs in the 12th over. The dot balls mounted pressure on Malla. He showed first signs of aggression in the 16th over hitting Mahmudullah for a six and two fours. In the 17th over, Mustafizur ended Malla's stay at the crease. He scored 27 runs from 40 balls. Dipendra hit Taskin for a six to keep the run chase alive. In the same over, Taskin dismissed Gulsan Jha for a four-ball duck. Nepal needed 22 runs in final two overs. Mustafizur bowled a wicket-maiden over dismissing Airee for a 31-ball 25. Shakib bowled the last over and struck twice to bowl out Nepal for 85. Bangladesh won the game by 21 runs.
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