World T20 Qualifying Round Group A Match Bangladesh Vs Oman Played at Dharmasala, March 13, 2016

Bangladesh 180/2 (Tamim Iqbal 103*, Sabbir Rahman 44, Shakib Al Hasan 17* ) beat Oman 65/9 in 12 Overs (  Jatinder Singh 25, Adnan Elyas 13, Shakib Al Hasan 4/15) by 54 Runs in D/L method.

Player of the Match: Tamim Iqbal

DHAKA: Formidable Bengal Tigers creating Tsunami at hill station Dharmasala, India on rain soaked chilly day swept away enthusiastic Oman handing them a huge 54 runs defeat in Duckworth Lewis (D/L) method.

Put into bat after losing the toss Bangladesh posted 180/2. Bemused and bewildered Oman’s challenge was twice interrupted by rain. They stuttered 65/9 against their revised target of 120 in 12 overs.

Bangladesh was in business right from the word go. Terrific Tamim firing in all cylinders scored his and teams first century in T20 international, remaining unbeaten on 103 in only 63 deliveries striking 10 fours and five towering sixes.

Scintillating Shabbir played another cameo of 44 in 26 deliveries. He matched his vastly experienced partner Tamim stroke to stroke and rotated the strikes giving Tamim in red-hot form, as much strikes as possible.

The 97 runs second wicket partnership put matters beyond doubt. Ace all-rounder Shakib finally came to his own. He could get only 9 balls over which he struck two fours and a six. He witnessed his mate Tamim racing to his maiden hundred for himself and Bangladesh in T20 world cup.

Bangladesh posted an imposing 180/2 in 20 overs.

For Oman, it was always going to be an uphill task. That was made still more challenging when Bangladesh opening bowlers Taskin and Al Amin removed their opener’s very early.
At 14/2, the fate of Oman was well cut out. Rain interruption made situation more difficult for the settlers of the Gulf state. They had no option but to attack. It is where they lost the plot.

Shakib fancies batsmen attacking him and he prospered ripping through Oman middle order with his controlled left arm spinners. His 4/15 in 3 overs decimated Oman’s challenge.

The revised target after second rain interruption was 120 in 12 overs. Oman could reach only 65/9. Bangladesh won huge and handsome by 54 runs and stormed into super ten.
 
The teams had three points each from two matches requiring win to go ahead. Rains and very cold weather were the natural barriers. The first game of the day between Netherlands and Ireland was also rain curtailed.

The superiority of Bangladesh was never in doubt. But only worry was rain curtailing to 5 or 6 overs each match which could be a gamble. Fortunately, fair weather allowed game to start on time.

Tamim Iqbal recently is in his brilliant best. He had a wonderful BPL and then looked brilliant in the first ever PCL in UAE before going on parental leave. He was blessed with a bubbling boy.

In this World T20, he is at the peak. Scores of 83, 47 was followed up yesterday with an unbeaten 103. He was relentless; he was awesome. His trademark stroke was dancing down the wicket and hoisting the bowlers over their head across the rope. He played cuts, cover drives, pulls and steered few.

His able partner in destruction was another blaster Shabbir. Only Soumya looked out of touch. He struggled in putting bat to ball. The youngster possibly tried to match his senior partner and was not judging the length and line of the balls judiciously.

Tamim and Shabbir in the form they are now have already caused a bit of bother for their more seasoned opponents Pakistan, India, Australia and New Zealand.

Moreover, return to form of Shakib and already tweeting Mahmudullah give Bangladesh batting assurance. We are sure prolific Mushfique must be only an innings away from regaining his subtle best.

Oman, a unit of amateur cricketers of mostly settled migrants did their best in reaching the stage where win could take them to dream main round.

But Bangladeshi cricketers are now fishes of different kettle. They seem to have now mastered the art of T20 and are looking better and better after every match. Bowling and fielding are world class.

Taskin and Al Amin are now special with the new ball. Shakib was a bit out of form till the last match. But the top class all-rounder is too good a player to remain in that state for a long time. It was great for him getting back to his rhyme on time. His 4/15 in the match squeezed Oman in the chase.

Mashrafe masterminded the Bangladesh mission clinically well himself bowling tight spells when required. Only young Rony has some teething trouble. Bangladesh deservedly moved into the super ten as unbeaten champion of Group A of the qualifying round.

Tamim won the player of the match for his brilliant innings. He in the course of the innings set few individual and Bangladesh records. He became the first Bangladeshi player-scoring century in T20 international and in all formats of the game.

He also became the first Bangladeshi player scoring over 1000 runs (1092) in T20 international. He looks calm and seasoned. He looks clinical and awesome.

Bangladesh will now move to Kolkata where in great Eden Garden they will play against Pakistan. Tigers are expected to get huge support of Bangla speaking fans of KKR’s home ground where Shakib plays.

Return of cutter Master Mustafiz is expected to further diversify Bangladesh attack. Bangladesh is definitely a force to reckon with in T20 format. We are sure in coming weeks much more will be heard of them. They have announced their arrival very loudly.

A word or two must said about yellow army. The courageous group of Bangladesh Cricket Supporters Association (BCSA) from the terrace was constant source of inspiration. We could see Sajjadul Alam Bobby, Junaid Paikar, Tiger Shoaib, Mashrafee Rupok, Nishat Jahid, Istiaq Mahfuz,  Rafsanjani and others constantly cheering in full throat for the tigers.

I am sure they will grow in numbers in Eden Gardens and elsewhere in numbers. Well done Bangladesh, well done BCSA. Bangladesh is going to go deeper into T20 World Cup.

BDST: 0930 HRS, MAR 14, 2016
RS

** Tigers enter Super 10 stage
** Oman facing Tigers-set 181 runs
** Tigers facing Oman bowlers
** Tigers on the edge