T20IWC : Bangladesh edges out Nepal to qualify for super8s , Netherlands exit

 

Bangladesh has become the last team to make it to the Super-8 round of the T20 World Cup. Defending a modest score of 106 runs on the basis of its lethal bowling, Bangladesh bowled out Nepal for just 85 runs. Thus, Bangladesh has now reached the India-Australia Group-1, whose fourth team is Afghanistan. Now India will clash with Bangladesh on 22 June in its second match of the Super-8 round. In the league stage, Group D team Bangladesh won three consecutive matches to make it to the Super-8 and now to reach the semi-finals, it will probably have to win at least two more matches in the Super Eight.

Tanjim Hasan Sakib's hostile opening spell played an important role in helping Bangladesh win the match. After losing the toss and being all out for just 106 runs, Bangladesh's victory seemed difficult. But Tanjim Hasan Sakib bowled a magical spell of four wickets, giving away just seven runs in four overs with two maidens, due to which half of Nepal's team had returned to the pavilion for just 26 runs.  The remaining task was completed by experienced left arm pacer Mustafizur Rahman, who gave a masterclass performance in death bowling and took three wickets giving only seven runs in four overs including one maiden. Mustafizur 's spell cane at a crucial moment after  Nepal batters Dipendra Singh (25) & Kushal Malla (27) appeared to be taking Nepal to victory aftr repairing the initial damage but once Mustafizur got both out , Nepal's challenge got deflated .

Nepal impressed everyone in the tournament. If it had scored the required two runs on the last ball in the last match against South Africa or if its match had not been washed out due to rain, then perhaps another neighboring country of India would have reached the Super-8 instead of Bangladesh. In this match too, its bowlers performed brilliantly. Nepal's decision to bowl after winning the toss proved right when Nepal pacer Sompal Kami dismissed Bangladesh opener Tanjid Hasan on the very first ball of the match. On bowling the third consecutive over, Kami also dismissed Liton. For Nepal, Sompal Kami, Dipendra Singh Airee, captain Rohit Paudel and Sandeep Lamichhane took two wickets each. Two batsmen were run out.

Netherlands had an outside chance to qualify  had Bangladesh lost to Nepal & Netherlands beat Sri Lanka.  However Sri Lanka , who were already out of the next stage  batted first & scored a mammoth 201/4 and in reply Netherlands challenge was snuffed out at 116