Bangladesh cricket Team. (Photo Source: Matthew Lewis-ICC/ICC via Getty Images)
Bangladesh confirmed their Super Eights’ berth in the T20 World Cup 2024 with a convincing 21-run victory over Nepal at the Arnos Vale Ground in Kingstown, St Vincent on Monday, June 17.
Nepal skipper Rohit Paudel won the toss and opted to bowl first. Nepal opened with Sompal Kami, Dipendra Singh, and Paudel as they ran through Bangladesh top-order. The Bangla Tigers lost their first five wickets for just 52 runs by the ninth over.
Though Shanto and Co. were in desperate need of a partnership, none of the Bangladeshi batters stayed long enough at the crease as they kept losing wickets in tandem. Veteran all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan was the highest scorer for his side, scoring 17 runs. After the end of 14 overs, Bangladesh found themselves in a precarious situation, as their score stood at 69/7. With some valuable contributions from their tailenders Rishad Hossain and Taskin Ahmed, Bangladesh somehow managed to push their total to 106 runs in 19.3 overs.
Kami and star leg spinner Sandeep Lamichhane were the pick of the bowlers, bagging two wickets apiece. Meanwhile, Paudel and Airee also bagged a couple of wickets in what was a disciplined bowling display from the Nepalese camp.
Also read: Imrul Kayes reacts to Virender Sehwag’s comments on Shakib Al Hasan
Clinical bowling spells see Bangladesh through
Nepal got off to a dreadful start as Kushal Bhurtel and Aasif Sheikh couldn’t stitch a crucial partnership at the top. The middle order consisting of Anil Sah, Paudel, and Sundeep Jora all walked back to the pavilion without adding much to the tally. Nepal lost five wickets within seven overs, with the score standing at 26/5.
With the match hanging at a balance by a thread, both sides hoped to cruise through somehow. Young Kushal Malla played a fine knock alongside experienced Dipendra Singh Airee and added 52 runs for the sixth wicket.
Both Malla and Airee found themselves back in the changing room within a span of two overs, and all because of left-arm seamer Mustafizur Rahman. With the equation standing at 22 runs off the final over, Shanto handed the ball to their most experienced campaigner Shakib to get the job done.
The all-rounder didn’t disappoint as he got two wickets in his first two deliveries as Nepal ended their campaign with a loss. Tanzim Hasan Sakib was the wrecker-in-chief with the ball, bagging four wickets in his four overs. The Bangladeshi side registered a compelling win and booked their spot for the Super Eight stage.
Here are some more highlights from Bangladesh’s win over Nepal:
Bangladesh through to the Super Eights at #T20WorldCup 2024 🔥#T20WorldCup | #BANvNEP
— Ismail khan (@Ismailk3056950) June 17, 2024
Nepal bowlers shows that they belong here in both matches. But their batting lacks game sense. In previous match they went to attack Shamsi 18th over of inning and today similar to Mustfizzur. In hindsight they missed a golden opportunity to enter in super 8 #BANvNEP
— Rajneesh Singh (@elirajneesh) June 17, 2024
Super 8s final qualifiers: Pulikutties
Group 1: IND, AUS, AFG, BAN
Group 2: SA, WI, USA, ENG
League stage though many one-sided games have been fine in general! Expecting the tournament to get much more competitive from now…#BANvNEP #T20WC24 pic.twitter.com/NQfYeYPCSu
— Shreyas Srinivasan (@ShreyasS_) June 17, 2024
#BANvNEP Mustafuzair Rahman is too deadly nepal batsman should have strike in earlier overs😕
— Manish Gurung Ghotane (@GhotaneMan88987) June 17, 2024
We couldn’t handle the pressure when matter the most. Heart break after heart break for Nepal fan’s. We could only show glimpse of brilliant bowling but only dissopointment with the bat. Good bye #T20WorldCup2024. Hope we met again in 2026 with better approach in batting#BANvNEP
— Bijay Uprety 🇳🇵 (@BijayOCT25) June 17, 2024
Bangladesh have qualified for the Super 8s . They beat Nepal by 21 runs. Brilliant bowling from Mustafizur Rahman and Tanzim Hasan Sakib. #BANvNEP . Eid Mubarak @BCBtigers . pic.twitter.com/vpucqydsa0
— Mrityunjoy 🇮🇳💙 (@Mrityunjoy_offl) June 17, 2024
That’s the difference of quality
Bangladesh qualify for super 8. team like Nepal doesn’t deserve to this level.#BANvNEP pic.twitter.com/KukQQM3TBi
— JAISAL KUMAR (@JAISALKUMAR97) June 17, 2024
Groups of Super 8 in T20 WC 2024
Group 1
India, Australia, Afghanistan & Bangladesh
Group 2
South Africa, England, West Indies & USA#BANvNEP #SLvNED #T20WorldCup
— Sayantan Pandit (@codziac) June 17, 2024
Bangladesh through to the Super Eights at #T20WorldCup 2024 🔥#T20WorldCup | #BANvNEP | 📝 https://t.co/8VgaPea9jn pic.twitter.com/PBL9qd4R8D
— Bhomaram (@Bhomaram7426) June 17, 2024
Bangladesh deserved to be the Second best side from Group D ,Well Played ….!!!
🏏🏆 #T20WorldCup #BANvNEP 🇧🇩
— Balu Mahendra (@balumahendra_v) June 17, 2024
A sensational spell of fast bowling earns Tanzim Hasan Sakib the @aramco POTM award 🏅#T20WorldCup | #BANvNEP pic.twitter.com/73WTyuQDs8
— ICC (@ICC) June 17, 2024
Where Pakistan failed to go through the SUPER 8s round, the brother country “Bangladesh” did it… So Congrats… South Africa & Bangladesh both have qualified for the Super 8s. I hope any of these teams will win the trophy this year for the first time in history. #Banvnep #t20 https://t.co/KuEcYh4WCb pic.twitter.com/aiqsatZChk
— Aatif – An Astrologer🏹 (@AatifAzio1) June 17, 2024