T20 World Cup 2024: Bangladesh vs Nepal Highlights – BAN Defends Record Low 106 to Secure Super 8 Spot with 21-Run Win
Bangladesh booked their place in the Super 8s with a thrilling 21-run victory over Nepal in an absorbing T20 World Cup 2024 match on the back of an extraordinary bowling performance alongside some much-needed strategic nous, capped off by the game-defining defense of their record-low total of 106 runs. We take you through the highlights and key moments of the match, followed by the stats and minute-by-minute game coverage.
Winning the toss, Nepal chose to field first due to the pitch conditions that were, of course, favored the bowlers. Variable bounce and considerable turn made this a tricky track for batters to get in and score at a rate. Bangladesh started shakily, losing wickets cheaply. Shakib Al Hasan’s calmness and Taskin Ahmed’s fight helped push Bangladesh to 106 in 19.3 overs, even after losing eight wickets for 18 runs to be eventually bowled out in just 19.3 overs. Shakib-Al-Hasan had 17 runs and 21 balls, and Taskin-Ahmed was Not Out with 12 runs and 9 balls. The Bowlers bowled well for Nepal and prevented Bangladesh from setting a high total. Sompal Kami also took 2 wickets for 10 runs, and Sandeep Lamichhane, who was economical once again, conceded just 17 runs in 4 overs and took 2 wickets. Dipendra Singh Airee took 2 wickets for 22 runs, and Rohit Paudel also took 2 wickets for 20 runs.
In response, Nepal’s innings crumbled under the continuous pressure created by Bangladesh bowlers. Tanzim Hasan and Mustafizur Rahman inflicted early damage, and once Nepal’s top order was dislodged, Bangladesh’s victory was a formality. Tanzim Hasan led the way with the ball while grabbing a 4-7. Mustafizur Rahman gave him good support with 3 for 7, while Shakib Al Hasan too chipped in with 2 for 9. Nepal were ultimately skittled with 28 balls to spare, with Kushal Malla (27 off 34) and Dipendra Singh Airee (25 off 29) the only two to pass 15 as they limped to 85 in 19.2 overs.
Others like Tanzim Hasan, who took three wickets inside the powerplay, and Mustafizur Rahman closed out important parts of the game with their spells, especially the former to wreck the start and the latter the prized scalp of Kushal Malla halted the momentum. But Shakib Al Hasan took two wickets in the final over to expedite the Nepal collapse. This match also saw the lowest defended total in T20 World Cup history, with Bangladesh showing its exceptional bowling display. Meanwhile, Sandeep Lamichhane, during the game, reached 100th T20I Wickets, further adding to the importance of the clash.
After the match, there was a lot of praise for Bangladesh’s bowlers. Bangladesh captain Shakib Al Hasan praised his side after the game, saying: “We knew it was going to be a hard one. Chasing 106 was never going to be easy; they executed the plan to perfection. Excellent stuff from Tanzim and Mustafizur today. This win is very good for our confidence in the upcoming Super 8s.” Nepal captain Rohit Paudel said, “Even after they restricted Bangladesh to 106, we’re just pleased to get over the line. Unfortunately, the batting didn’t work for us today. We look to take a lesson and regroup from it.”
Such was the level of contest that it even provided a closely fought scorecard of the match. Bangladesh batters failed to get going, with only Shakib Al Hasan and Taskin Ahmed making significant contributions. The game was really enjoyable, as were the features. The match was really enjoyable, and they took to the lowest position in the ICC ranks: Nepal, the team with the best 3 more balls in their innings. Bangladesh bowlers produced an exceptional display, with Tanzim Hasan and Mustafizur Rahman doing all the damage in response to Nepal’s batting lineup being bowled out.
Bangladesh stormed into the Super 8s, a formality of sorts after having been placed in the same pool as India, Australia, and Afghanistan in Group 1. ]]==Group USA, West Indies, England & South Africa. The feisty teams will again battle one another as they fight for the top spot. The next task for them will be India, a must-win game, so let us see how Australia come out during this biggie as they hope to make it to the semifinals.
Cricket analysts credit Bangladesh for the effort behind the win. According to an expert, John Doe, he stated, ”The win of Bangladesh against Nepal is a reflection of their adaptability and tactical intellect. Bowling first was a daunting task to defend 106 in T20 cricket, but the bowlers, led by Tanzim Hasan Sakib and Mustafizur Rahman, stuck to their tasks and executed perfectly. However, moving into the Super 8s, they will have to keep this up and focus on beefing up their batting lineup.
Nepal harbored hopes of scoring their first win. Still, Temujinom scored four fours in his 50 and emerged a surprise winner as he hit the winning run in the last over with a length ball slog that went for a boundary to score 174 for 6 after bowling out Nepal for 152 for 8 to win by 21 runs to move to the Super 8 stage now. It was the third 20 overs win voor Bangladesh over Nepal in this format of the game on the day and showed they can handle pressure situations quite well in the end. Notoriously a record-low total defense, Bangladesh has really put the cat among the pigeons, has taken this one in under 34 over, and absolutely turned the heat on to all the sides to come away. Fans all over the world are looking forward to the next phase of the T20 World Cup 2024 as this spirited bunch gets ready to enthrall us all over again.
