Bangladesh mission to Super 12 in T20 World Cup2021 hinges on what happens today in the final matches of the qualification round. One is within control of Bangladesh and the other is outside their control. Bangladesh takes on PNG first, which would play the match for pride . Bangladesh needs a win and a big win to settle the score in case three teams finish on 4 points.
The other match has many equations. A straight win of Scotland over Oman would secure their position in Super 12 as champion in the group. If Oman wins run rate would come into play. One advantage Oman and Scotland have that they would both know what they need to qualify. The last round till the last match keeps the tensions and excitement going for the three teams.
This situation would not have happened had not Bangladesh loose their first match unexpectedly against Scotland. Many would say lack of planning, lack of preparation on like to like wickets and so on. But under no circumstance Bangladesh should have lost that match specially after rocking the opponents to 56/6 through brilliant bowling of Mahedi and Shakib . Mahmudullah could not press on . His death over bowlers lost control-letting Scotland scoring 153/9. Bangladesh perhaps missed a trick in not playing their recent time match-winning bowler Nasum Ahmed on a track which offered assistance to Mahedy and Shakib.
Then when Bangladesh batted Shakib, Mushfique and Mahmudullah looked rusty. Their 81 runs in 88 deliveries made it very difficult for the rest to catch up with run rate . Bangladesh eventually lost by 6 runs. A big blow to their mission.
In their do or die match against Oman Bangladesh brought back Mohammad Naim in place of Soumya but retained Taskin though Nasum could be a better choice. Liton again failed. Bangladesh experimented with Mahedi pushing up to bat at number three. But that gamble did not pay off .Luckily for the them their ace all-rounder Shakib struck form. Naim also getting reprieve from two dropped catches anchored the innings. These two set the foundation for a good score. But that was also foiled by poor planning. Bangladesh held back Mushfique and Mahmudullah till 7 and 8, very unusual in any circumstance. Afif and Sohan experiment also failed. 8 out of 11 batsmen failed reaching double digits. The score that should have been 170 or 180 finished at 154 all out.
Bangladesh looked panicked as they started defending. Taskin bowled a poor first over. Even Mustafiz bowled five wides in his first over though striking the break through. However, Saifuddin, Mahedy bowled very tight and Shakib started hunting as usual. Bangladesh could restrict Oman surge through masterpiece bowling of Mustafiz and Shakib. The best all-rounder in all format Shakib again won the match for Bangladesh to the sigh of relief of even the Prime Minister of Bangladesh.
This win must have served as a tonic. Whatever be the situation Bangladesh can win big against PNG setting their Net Run Rate Higher than the two Scotland and Oman as they have no control over the outcome of the second match. We are sure Scotland would not jeopardies their own situation relaxing against Oman. But at the same time Oman is quite capable of beating them.
Bangladesh can consider bringing in Nasum in place of struggling Taskin. PNG may succumb to three-pronged spin attack. However, if Bangladesh bat first they should target scoring 170-180. Not sure that it would be worth risking Soumya replacing Liton. How about opening with Naim and Mahedy? But in no circumstance Mushfique be dropped at 8 again. That was not fair.
Bangladesh (probable): 1 Mohammad Naim, Soumya Sarkar, Shakib Al Hasan, Mushfiqur Rahim, Mahmudullah (Capt), Afif Hossain, Nurul Hasan (WK), Mahedi Hasan, Mohammad Saifuddin, Taskin Ahmed/ Nasum Ahmed, and Mustafizur Rahman
Papua New Guinea (probable): Tony Ura, Lega Siaka, Assad Vala (Capt), Charles Amini, Sese Bau, Simon Atai, Norman Vanua, Kiplin Doriga (wk), Chad Soper, Nosaina Pokana, and Kabua Morea
Tonight, can be a night of festival for Bangladeshis all around the world but for that they would have to wait till the outcome of the last match even after winning their match against PNG.
BDST: 1309 HRS, OCT 21, 2021
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