Bangladesh have officially qualified for the Super 8 of the T20 World Cup 2024 with 21-run win over Nepal in the Group D match at the Arnos Vale Ground in St.Vincent on Monday, June 17.
After being bundled out for a mere 106 in 19.3 overs, Bangladesh managed to defend their total by dismissing Nepal for just 85 runs in 19.2 overs. Tanzim Shakib Hasan led the bowling attack as he picked four wickets while conceding just 7 with an economy rate of 1.80 in four overs.
Mustafizur Rahman too contributed significantly to Bangladesh's bowling as he registered the figures of 3/7 with an economy rate of 1.80 in four overs. Apart from Tanzim and Mustafizur, Shakib Al Hasan too played a role in Bangladesh's win by picking two wickets.
For Nepal, Kushal Malla led the batting with a decent innings of 27 off 40 balls, while Dipendar Singh Airee scored 25 off 31 balls.
After being put to bat first by Nepal skipper, Bangladesh suffered a batting collapse as they lost four wickets in Tanzid Hasan (0), skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto (4), Litton Das (10) and Towhid Hridoy (9) for just 30 runs in 5.4 overs. After Hridoy's wicket, Bangladesh lost another four wickets in ahmudullah, Shakib Al Hassan, Tanzim Hasan Shakib and Jaker Ali for just 45 runs and they were at 75/8 in 15.3 overs.
Rishad Hossain tried to chip in as he hit a six and a four before he was dismissed for 13. Thereafter, tailenders Taskin Ahmed and Mustafizur Rahman formed a decent 16-run stand for the 10th wicket before Bangladesh were bundled out for a mere 106 in 19.3 overs with the dismissal of Ahmed.
Nepal suffered a batting collapse after Kushal Malla's dismissal
Chasing a modest 107-run target, Nepal were off to a poor start as they lost five of their side for just 26 runs in 7 overs. However, Kushal Malla and Dipendar Singh Airee stepped up for the team and revived Nepal's batting.
The pair formed a 52-run partnership until Bangladesh pacer Mustafizur Rahman turned the tables on Nepal by picking a crucial wicket of Malla at 78/6. Despite Nepal required 29 off 20 balls to win the match, the side struggled to keep going as they lost their final four wickets for a mere 9 runs, eventually getting bundled out for 85.
Nepal ended their T20 World Cup 2024 campaign without a win in the group stage. In their previous match, Rohit Paudel-led side lost to South Africa by just 1 run while chasing 116-run target after restricting Proteas to 115/7 in the first innings.
Nepal are one of the four teams alongside Ireland, Papua New Guinea, Uganda and Oman to exit the tournament without a win.
