KINGSTOWN: Bangladesh pacers wreak havoc to help their team edge past Nepal by 21 runs in a low-scoring ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 clash here at Arnos Vale Ground on Sunday.
This victory propelled Bangladesh to become the second team from Group D to qualify for the Super 8 stage of the tournament alongside South Africa.
Set to chase a modest target of 107, Nepal folded for 85 in 19.2 overs, courtesy of Bangladesh’s fiery pace bowling.
Tanzim Hasan Sakib once again provided the breakthrough with the new ball as he dismissed Kushal Bhurtel (4) and Anil Shah (0) in the third over with nine runs on the board.
The pacer added two more wickets to his tally, while Mustafizur Rahman also contributed with a wicket to reduce Nepal to 26-5 in seven overs.
Kushal Malla and Dipendra Singh Airee then knitted a cautious 52-run partnership to force Nepal’s comeback, however, Rahman removed Malla to break the partnership.
Malla top-scored for Nepal with a scratchy 27-run knock from 40 balls, which featured one four and one six.
Meanwhile, Airee scored 25 off 31 with the help of two boundaries and one six before falling prey to Rahman in the next over.
Shakib Al Hasan bowled the last over, taking two wickets in two balls to close Nepal’s innings at 85.
Tanzim Hasan Sakib returned with brilliant bowling figures of 4-7, while Mustafizur Rahman claimed 3-7.
Earlier, Bangladesh were bundled out for a paltry 106 in 19.3 overs after being sent into bat.
Sompal Kami drew first blood as he caught and bowled Tanzid Hasan on the first ball of the match. Bangladesh soon slipped to 30-4 inside the powerplay with Kami taking two.
The experienced duo of Shakib Al Hasan (17) and Mahmudullah (13) stitched a 22-run partnership to get their team out of the trouble but a mix-up resulted in the latter’s run-out to leave Bangladesh reeling at 52-5.
Nepal bowlers kept picking wickets at regular intervals to deny any chance of a comeback, however, tailenders Rishad Hossain (13 off 7) and Taskin Ahmed (12* off 15) played cameos to carry Bangladesh’s total to 106.
Mustafizur Rahman (3) got run out in the final over to end Bangladesh’s innings.
For Nepal, Kami, Airee, Rohit Paudel and Sandeep Lamichhane picked two wickets each.
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