Sports Reporter :
Bangladesh Cricket team will take on Oman in a do-or-die Group-B match of the ICC T20 World Cup at the Al Amerat Stadium in Oman today. The match begins at 8.00pm (BST). State-owned television channel BTV, private satellite channel GTV and private satellite sports channel T Sports will telecast the match live from the arena.
Before today’s match, Bangladesh faced Oman in only one occasion in their qualification match of the ICC T20 World Cup in 2016. Bangladesh registered a massive 63-run victory over Oman in that match. Dashing opener Tamim Iqbal remained unbeaten with 103. He used only 63 deliveries to hit the lone century for a Bangladesh batsman in T20I format. But Tamim Iqbal pulled himself out from this year’s T20 World Cup.
Bangladesh made an unhappy start as they lost to Scotland by just six runs in their first match of the ICC T20 World Cup on Sunday last at the same venue.
On the other hand, Oman had a good start as they defeated Papua New Guinea by 10 wickets in their first match at the same venue. So, the Tigers have to win against Oman, if Bangladesh want to reach the final round. Besides, Bangladesh have to win against minnows Papua New Guinea in their last Group-B match also.
Bangladesh have superb all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan, ace batsman Mushfiqur Rahim, Mr Finisher Mahmudullah Riyad. Bangladesh’s bowling department is also remarkable. They have ‘Cutter Boy’ Mustafizur Rahman, World class spinner Shakib Al Hasan, promising Mahedi Hasan and right-arm pacer Taskin Ahmed.
Though Bangladesh are better than Scotland but they tasted a narrow six-run defeat as cricket is a game of uncertainty.
Before taking part in the ICC T20 World Cup qualifiers, Bangladesh played three Twenty20 International (T20I) series in a row. They outplayed Zimbabwe by 2-1 in a three-match T20I series, defeated Australia by 4-1 in a five-match T20I series and beat New Zealand by 3-2 in a five match T20I series.
Bangladesh have a superb batting depth. The Tigers can bat up to nine position in any match.
After tasting a narrow defeat against Scotland, Tigers’ skipper Mahmudullah Riyad said, ” We cannot bat well in today’s game. But I think we are good side. We have the capability. When we perform our best, we can win match. We shall think about our batting lineups for next match.”
Bangladesh played 26 matches in the ICC T20 World Cup (including qualifying matches). Of them, Bangladesh won five matches. But in that time Bangladesh Cricket squads were not as strong as now. However, Bangladesh now have ability to beat any opponent teams.
Bangladesh squad : Mahmudullah Riyad (Captain), Shakib Al Hasan, Mushfiqur Rahim, Soumya Sarkar, Liton Das, Mohammad Naim, Afif Hossain, Nurul Hasan Sohan, Shamim Hossain, Mustafizur Rahman, Taskin Ahmed, Mohammad Saifuddin, Shoriful Islam, Mahedi Hasan, Rubel Hossain and Nasum Ahmed.
