Sports Reporter :
Bangladesh stormed into the final round of the ICC T20 World Cup crushing Papua New Guinea by 84 runs in their last Group-B qualifiers at the Al Amerat Stadium in Oman on Thursday.
Electing to bat first, Bangladesh piled up a mammoth total of 181 for the loss of seven wickets in the allotted 20 overs and then dismissed Papua New Guinea for 97 off 19.3 overs.
Bangladesh made an unhappy start with opener Mohammad Naim (0) being caught at the deep square leg by Sese Bau off Kabua Morea when Bangladesh’s score was naught.
After Naim’s dismissal, Liton Das and Shakib Al Hasan repaired their innings contributing together 50 runs for the second wicket partnership before Liton Das was caught at the deep midwicket by Bau off Assad Vala when the Tigers’ total was 50 for the loss of two wickets.
Liton Das made 29 from 23 balls featuring one four and one six.
After Liton’s departure, Mushfiqur Rahim (5) was caught at the deep square leg by Hiri Hiri off Simon Atai when Bangladesh’s score was 72 for the loss of three wickets.
One-down Shakib Al Hasan and third-down Mahmudullah Riyad repaired the damage adding together 29 runs in the four wicket stand before Shakib Al Hasan was caught at the long-on by Charles Amini by Vala when Bangladesh’s total was 101 for the loss of four wickets.
Shakib Al Hasan scored 46. His 37-ball innings had three sixes. The left-arm spinner captured four wickets in the space of nine runs and was adjudged the Man of the Match for his all-round performance.
After Shakib’s departure, Mahudullah Riyad and Afif Hossain rescued their team from danger contributing together 43 runs for the fifth wicket partnership before Riyad was caught at the deep square leg by Chad Soper by Damien Ravu when Bangladesh’s score was 144 for the loss of five wickets.
Mahmudullah played a captain’s knock of 50. His 28-ball innings was studded with three sixes and three fours. It was Riyad’s 6th half-century in T20I cricket.
Afif made 21 from 14 balls including three fours.
Wicketkeeper-batsman Nurul Hasan (0) was caught at the short third man by Sese Bau off Kabua Morea when Bangladesh’s total was 153 for the loss of six wickets.
Then Afif was caught at the cover by Ravu off Morea when Bangladesh’s total 161 for the loss of seven wickets.
Mohammad Saifuddin remained unbeaten with 19. His six-ball innings saw two sixes and one four.
Assad Vala, Kabua Morea and Damien Ravu bagged two wickets each conceding 26,26 and 40 runs respectively.
Later, most of the Papua New Guinea batters failed to resist superb bowling attack of Bangladesh.
Taskin Ahmed and Mohammad Saifuddin claimed two wickets each instead of 12 and 21 runs respectively.
Besides, Mahedi Hasan took one wicket for 20 runs.
Wicketkeeper-batsman Kiplin Doriga restored some parity for his country making an unbeaten 46. He struck two fours and two sixes in his 34-ball innings.
