In a thrilling encounter at the Arnos Vale Ground in Kingstown, St Vincent, Bangladesh’s national cricket team edged past Nepal by 21 runs, securing their place in the Super Eight stage of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024. The victory, achieved in the 37th match of the tournament, was largely due to Tanzim Hasan Sakib’s extraordinary spell of fast bowling, which dismantled Nepal’s batting lineup.
Bangladesh won the toss and elected to bat first, setting the stage for a high-pressure game. Their innings got off to a shaky start, with early wickets falling quickly to a disciplined Nepalese bowling attack. Openers Mohammad Naim and Liton Das struggled to build momentum, and the team found themselves at 45 for 3 within the first eight overs. The Nepalese bowlers, led by Karan KC and Sandeep Lamichhane, looked set to restrict Bangladesh to a modest total.
However, the middle-order batsmen, led by skipper Shakib Al Hasan, held their ground. Shakib, known for his experience and composure under pressure, led a stabilizing effort alongside Youngster Towhid Hridoy. Together, they put on a crucial partnership, adding vital runs and ensuring the team surpassed the 100-run mark. Shakib scored a fighting 45 off 36 balls, while Hridoy contributed with a brisk 32. The duo’s effort provided the innings with much-needed stability before lower-order batsmen chipped in with quick runs to set a competitive target.
Despite the middle-order recovery, Bangladesh’s total of 147 for 8 didn’t seem insurmountable, especially on a pitch that had shown favor to both seam and spin. The target set the stage for a nail-biting second half of the match. Nepal began their chase with confidence, their openers Kushal Bhurtel and Aasif Sheikh setting a solid foundation. They looked poised and comfortable, finding gaps and rotating the strike efficiently.
However, the turning point came when Tanzim Hasan Sakib was introduced into the attack. Bowling with aggression and precision, Sakib produced a mesmerizing spell that swung the game in Bangladesh’s favor. He consistently hit the right lengths and extracted enough movement from the pitch to trouble the Nepalese batsmen. Sakib picked up four crucial wickets, breaking the backbone of Nepal’s batting lineup.
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His dismissal of the well-set Bhurtel, who was looking dangerous at 34, was a significant blow to Nepal’s chances. Following Bhurtel’s departure, the middle order struggled to withstand the pressure applied by Sakib and the other Bangladesh bowlers. Wickets started tumbling in quick succession, and the required run rate began to climb. Nepal found themselves in a precarious situation at 98 for 7, needing nearly 50 runs from the last five overs with only lower-order batsmen left.
Despite a valiant late effort by the tail-enders, the Nepalese team could not recover from the collapse orchestrated by Sakib’s fiery spell. Eventually, they managed to score only 126 for 9 in their 20 overs, falling short by 21 runs. Sakib finished with impressive figures of 4 for 22, earning him the Man of the Match award for his outstanding performance.
The victory was met with jubilant celebrations among the Bangladeshi players and fans, as they confirmed their slot in the Super Eight stage. Speaking at the post-match presentation, an elated Shakib Al Hasan praised his team’s resilience and the phenomenal effort by Sakib. “It was a team effort, but Sakib’s spell was truly special and turned the game on its head. We believed in our chances, and it paid off,” Shakib said.
On the other side, Nepal’s captain, Rohit Paudel, expressed his disappointment but remained proud of his team’s efforts throughout the tournament. “We fought hard, but credit goes to Bangladesh, especially Sakib, who bowled exceptionally well. We have gained valuable experience, and we will come back stronger,” Paudel remarked.
Looking ahead, Bangladesh will now prepare to face a formidable Indian team on June 22 in their first Super Eight match. The encounter promises to be an exciting one, with both teams eyeing a spot in the semifinals. Bangladesh’s recent form, bolstered by their win over Nepal, sets up a highly anticipated clash against their neighbors and arch-rivals in the subcontinent cricketing sphere.
As the tournament progresses into its next phase, fans around the world eagerly await more electrifying matches and standout performances. The journey to the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 trophy continues, with the competition heating up and the stakes rising ever higher.
