Bangladesh VS PNG Played at Muscat on 21 October 2021
Bangladesh 181/7 (Mahmudullah Riad 50, Shakib Al Hasan 46, Liton K Das 29, Afif Hossain 21, Mohammad Saifuddin 19* , Kabua Morera 2/26, Asad Vala 2/26, Damien Ravu 2/40 )
Papua New Guinea 97 All Out (Kiplin Donga 46*, Chad Soper 11, Shakib Al Hasan 4/9, Taskin Ahmed 2/12 and Mohammad Saifuddin 2/21)
Bangladesh Won by 84 Runs.
The pride of Bengal tigers were badly hurt when they were upset by lowly Scotland in their Scotland.Their position was not secured even after beating Oman in the second match. Finally in the last match of the qualifying round getting back to their own stride injured tigers hunted PNG with anger. Setting milestone they smashed the poor Papuans by 84 runs. Winning big they answered many questions those were creeping against them off late after their dismal performances in UAE and Oman over the past week. Superstar Shakib with a brilliant all round performance (46 runs and 4/9) showed to the cricket world his value , Mahmudullah playing brilliant innings of 50 proved yet again it is too early to write seniors off . Bangladesh scoring 181/7 gave enough indications that they have the potential for creating some sensations even in super 12. Off course for last minute changes to tournament rule Bangladesh has to play in the group featuring West Indies, England , Australia and South Africa. Many would say that may turn as blessing in disguise as these teams have to deal with quality spin attack of Bangladesh.
The equation was like Bangladesh, Scotland and Oman could be all three finishing on 4 points if both Bangladesh and Oman would have won yesterday. Bangladesh blew away PNG but Scotland beat Oman. As such with three wins in three Scotland finished of top of Group B and Bangladesh came second.
Batting first Bangladesh scored impressive 181/7 a score that they produced after 8 recent T20 International matches ( 6 at home against Australia and New Zealand and 2 in this world cup). Crashing PNG to 97 all out through clinical bowling performance they let allow strong warning to others who would play them in Super12.
It was the first day match of Bangladesh under scorching desert sun. Winning the toss batting first Bangladeshi batsmen had to perspire. Naim was gone second ball after getting reprieve in the first. Domingo luckily did not try to experiment and went business as usual with the batting. Shakib looked in business and Liton after a while played to his potential. PNG took some astonishing catches. Liton could not convert his good start and got out scoring 29 falling to a brilliant catch. Luck did not favor Mushfique as well .It happens when form runs out for someone even his good stroke finds a fielder. Shakib in the meantime was looking great but heat was taking toll .He required frequent hydrating. Mahmudullah was in business right from the start .But in the first 12 overs only a single boundary and two over boundaries were struck till Mahmudullah stepped up the tempo. By that time Shakib left holing out a catch in the deep scoring 46 in 37 deliveries. Sohan scored a duck. Afif playing some aggressive strokes contributed 21. But it was skipper Riad answering criticism about senior players held the innings together scoring 50 off 28 deliveries. Saifuddin blasting 19 in only 5 deliveries took the score to sky high at 181/7,Despite of clean batting by Bangladesh one must praise brilliant fielding and catching of the PNG. They dropped nothing those came their way and some were astonishing.
Bangladesh could rejoice after reaching such a high score as it was well beyond their capability overhauling this playing against top quality bowling of Bangladesh. Shakib was in his true element taking 4/9. By doing that he joined Shahid Khan Afridi as the highest wicket taker in T20 world cup. Taskin bowled at pace and bowled much better on the day taking 2/12, Saifuddin swung the ball as he also contributed taking 2/21. Poor Papuans had to deal with angry tigers. At one stage they slipped to 29/7 and was starting at the lowest score of T20 world cup. Even in this ruins Kiplin Donga stood out scoring unbeaten 46. Winning big by 84 runs Bangladesh ensured no result of the final match of the group could change their qualification to Super 12. They now would not have to deal with four other teams of the subcontinent including India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. They can mesmerize England, Australia, West Indies and South Africa with spin barrage.
The worries are opening partnership and lack of form of Mushfique. Bangladesh should also set the proper batting order of Saifuddin. He is the only other genuine all rounder apart from Shakib and should bat not as low as nine. Bangladesh has not unleashed Nasum Ahmed yet in this tournament.
It is great that team tigers have started ticking all boxes at the right time shrugging off the rust. With some fine-tuning they can be a formidable force to reckon with in Super 12. Watch out for Super Shakib. On tune he can rock any team. Saifuddin, Mehedi, Mustafiz would continue contributing. Taskin has started setting his bearings right. Hope Liton and Mushfique would strike form as soon as possible. Bangladesh is on a high. But there is still room for improvement.
BDST: 0923 HRS, OCT 22, 2021
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