Hosts Bangladesh almost confirmed their Super-10 berth from Group A of the ICC World Twenty20 beating associate member Nepal by eight wickets in their 2nd group match at Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium in Chittagong on Tuesday.
Replying to Nepalese poor total of 126 runs, Bangladesh faced no trouble to reach their target scoring 132 runs for 2 wickets in 15.3 overs, featuring 63 runs in 7.5 overs in the opening stand by dashing opener Tamim Iqbal and Anamul Haque.
Hard hitting opener Tamim Iqbal scored 30 runs off 22 balls with two fours and a six before he was caught by Sagar Pun at short third man, off a Basant Regmi delivery.
Another opener Anamul Haque miserably fell victim of run out as he started running by cut the ball toward points, but his partner Sabbir Rahman did not respond and both the batsman reach at the bowler end, giving a free chance to wicket keeper to break the stumps.
In the third wicket stand, Sabbir Rahman partnering with all rounder Shakib Al Hasan added an unconquered 53 runs in 5.1 overs to guide the team towards victory scoring 132 for 2 in 15.3 overs.
Shakib Al Hasan sealed the fate of the match hitting a six over long on, off a Sagar Pun delivery. Shakib scored an unbeaten 37 runs off 18 balls featuring one four and four sixes while Sabbir Rahman made not out 21 runs off 20 deliveries with one our and a six.
Basant Begmi took the lone wicket of Tamim Iqbal giving away 14 runs in three overs.
Earlier, Nepal posted 126 runs for 5 in stipulated 20 overs in their first-ever international match against a Test-playing nation Bangladesh.
Bangladesh captain Mushfiqur Rahim won the toss for the 2nd consecutive match and elected to field first with a sweet memory of beating Afghanistan by nine wickets last Sunday as the Tigers need to seal the victory against Nepal to ensure a smooth passage to reach the Super 10.
Both the teams fielded the same squad like the first matches, although Mashrafe remained an injury concern for Bangladesh. Nepal also chose not to make any changes after their 80-run historic win over Hong Kong in the first game.
Going to bat first, Nepal made a good start scoring six runs per over, but Forhad Reza made the first breakthrough dismissing opener Subash Khakurel for 19 runs in the 4th overs. Khakurel scored 13-ball 8 runs before he was caught by Abdur Razzak at mid-off.
Pacer Al Amin Hossain turned the match into Bangladesh’s favour taking two quick wickets of Sagar Pun and Gyannendra Malla in a span of only three balls in the 7th over to restrict Nepal to 39 for 3 in 6.3 overs.
Sagar Pun was caught by all rounder Shakib Al Hasan at short cover, off the first ball of the 7th over by Al Amin Hossain scoring 19-ball 12 runs with two fours while Gyanendra Malla retuned to the pavilion as he trapped leg before by Al Amin Hossain quick-firing six-ball 13 runs including two boundaries.
But, number four right-handed batsman Paras Khadka pairing with Sharad Vesawker repaired the innings in the 4th wicket stand contributing 85 runs in 12.3 overs to carry the team total to 124 for 4 in 18.6 overs.
Parash Khadka scored 41 runs off 35 balls with five fours before he was bowled by pacer Mashrafe Bin Mortaza while Sharad Vesawkar scored 40 runs off 43 balls hitting five fours before be fell victim of run out by Bangladesh skipper Mushfiqur Rahim.
Al Amin Hossain grabbed two wickets for 17 runs in his quota of four overs to be adjudged man of the match while Mashrafe Bin Mortaza and Forhad Reza took one wicket each conceding 23 and 27 runs respectively
Source: UNBConnect
