In their final group stage match of the ICC T20 World Cup, Bangladesh secured a crucial 21-run victory against Nepal, ensuring their place in the Super 8. Despite a subpar batting performance, excellent bowling, particularly by Tanzim Hasan Sakib, led to the win at the Arnos Vale Ground in Kingstown, Saint Vincent.
Nepal won the toss and elected to bowl first. Bangladesh, sticking with their previous playing XI, managed only 106 runs in 19.3 overs due to a batting collapse. However, Nepal’s reply was thwarted, as they were bowled out for 85 runs, ensuring Bangladesh’s advancement to the next stage.
Bangladesh’s innings began poorly with opener Tanzid Hasan Tamim being caught out by Sompal Kami on the very first ball. Captain Najmul Hossain Shanto, coming in at number three, managed only 4 runs before being bowled by Dipendra Singh Airee after facing just 5 balls.
Litton Das also failed to deliver, scoring only 10 runs from 12 balls, including one boundary. Towhid Hridoy, despite starting with a boundary, couldn’t reach double figures, getting out for 9 runs off 7 balls. By the time Bangladesh had scored just 30 runs, they had already lost 4 wickets.
A brief recovery was attempted through a partnership between Shakib Al Hasan and Mahmudullah Riyad. However, Riyad was run out due to a mix-up, scoring 13 runs off 13 balls, including 2 boundaries. Shakib Al Hasan didn’t last much longer, getting out after scoring a team-high 17 runs from 22 balls, including 2 boundaries. Only Zakir Ali Anik (12) and Rishad Hossain (13) managed to reach double figures thereafter.
Bangladesh’s innings concluded at 106 runs in 19.3 overs, with Taskin Ahmed (12*) and Mustafizur Rahman (3) adding 18 runs for the last wicket. Sompal Kami, Dipendra Singh Airee, Rohit Paudel, and Sandeep Lamichhane each took 2 wickets for Nepal.
Nepal’s chase began promisingly but was quickly dismantled by Tanzim Hasan Sakib. In his second over, Sakib took 2 wickets without conceding any runs, bowling Kushal Bhurtel and having Anil Shah caught by Najmul Hossain Shanto. Sakib continued his dominance, taking another wicket in his third over by having Nepal’s captain Rohit Paudel caught by Rishad Hossain. Mustafizur Rahman then dismissed Asif Sheikh. On the last ball of his fourth over, Tanzim bowled Sandeep Jha, leaving Nepal struggling at 26 for 5. Tanzim finished with career-best bowling figures of 4-2-7-4, including 21 dot balls out of 24.
Despite losing 5 wickets for 26 runs in 7 overs, Nepal showed resilience through a 52-run partnership between Kushal Malla and Dipendra Singh Airee. Mustafizur Rahman broke this stand by dismissing Malla for 27 runs. Mustafiz then took another wicket, finishing with figures of 4 overs, 1 maiden, 7 runs, and 3 wickets.
In the penultimate over, Mustafizur bowled a maiden and took the wicket of Dipendra Singh Airee. Shakib Al Hasan bowled the final over, taking 2 wickets in 3 balls to bowl out Nepal.
With this victory, Bangladesh confirmed their spot in the Super 8, where they will face formidable teams like Australia, India, and Afghanistan.
