Bangladesh defeats Nepal to book Super 8 spot

Bangladesh booked their spot in the Super 8 with a tense 21-run win over Nepal on Sunday night June 16, 2024, in an ICC T/20 Men’s Cricket World Cup at the Arnos Vale Cricket Ground. Batting first after being sent in by Nepal, Bangladesh made 106 for 9 in their 20 overs. Shakib Al Hasan made 17, as Kami with 2 for 10; Lamichhane 2 for 17; Paudel 2 for 20; and Airee 2 for 22; ensured that Nepal turned the screws on their fellow Asians. However Nepal was bundled out for 85 in 19.2 overs, with Malla 27; Airee 25; and Shiekh 17; being the top batters. The damage was done by Tanzim, 4 for 7; and Mustafizur, 3 for 7.

Kushal Malla top-scored for Nepal with 27 (photo by Robertson S Henry)

Nepal deciding to field having won the toss, immediately reaped rewards when Sompal Kami struck off the first ball of the match. Tanzid Hasan attempting pull a short-ball, top-edged giving the bowler an easy caught and ball. The Bangladesh captain, Hossain Shanto was next to go, bowled by Dipendra Airee in the second over.

Litton Das top-edged a pull off a short ball to give wicketkeeper, Aasif Sheikh a simple catch as Bangladesh’s top order was dismantled. Fourth to go was Towhid Hridoy, Bangladesh’s best batter to date in the competition, attempting a slog sweep off Rohit Paudel. At that point Bangladesh were stuttering at 31 for 4.

Nepal’s spinners did not let up and Bangladesh struggled to score. Mahmudullah, after a small partnership with Shakib, called for a run that was never there and was run out at the non-striker’s end.

Paudel dismissed Shakib, then Lamichhane bowled Tanzim and Jake with googlies as Bangladesh stared at the prospect of a score under one hundred. However they were saved blushes by Rishad Hossain and Taskin who added 31 runs for the last two wickets; Bangladesh reaching 106 for 9 at the end of the 20 overs.

Then came the Tanzim Hasan Sakib show, as he blew away Nepal’s top order in a fiery opening spell that powered Bangladesh to a tense 21-run victory to seal their Super 8 date with Afghanistan on Monday June 24, 2024. Tanzim’s figures read 4-2-7-4, as he reduced Nepal to 26 for 5; a position from which they never recovered.

Tanzim struck twice in his second over – the third of the innings. He bowled Kushal Bhurtel with a low full toss that swung away late to clip the off stump, then Anil Sah toe-ended his drive only to be caught at mid-off.

With Taskin Ahmed creating pressure at the other end, Tanzim had Rohit Paudel caught at backward point, and picked up his fourth wicket when he had Jora caught at gully. Tanzim bowled a double-wicket maiden and a wicket maiden in his spell. His 21 dot balls are the most by a bowler in an ICC Men’s T/20 World Cup match.

Mustafizur, 2 scalps; Tanzim, 1; and 1 by Shakib Al Hasan who up to that point was wicket-less in the tournament, dislodged the last four wickets as Bangladesh successfully defended the 106, sending their fans into screams of joy as they ensured their place in the Super 8. The next games in the tournament at the refurbished Arnos Vale Grounds will be on June 22, and June 24, 2024, in the qualifying round.