Shakib seals Super 12 spot for Bangladesh
TIGERS THRASH PNG BY 84 RUNS IN LAST GROUP MATCH
Shakib al Hasan showed just why he is regarded as one of the best all-rounders in world cricket with a headlining performance against a hapless Papua New Guinea (PNG) outfit as Bangladesh registered a huge 84-run victory in their last Group B match of the ICC T20 World Cup 2021 at the Oman Cricket Academy on Thursday.
With the victory, Bangladesh qualified for the Super 12 stage with four points and a very healthy Net Run Rate (NRR) of +1.73.
Shakib scalped 4/9 demolishing PNG’S chances of mounting any sort of challenge.
None of the PNG batsmen could score anything significant or stitch up a partnership with only Kiplin Doriga and Chad Soper touching two digit figures.
For Bangladesh, it was the kind of all-round performance that has become synonymous with Shakib over the years.
Skipper Mahmudullah’s fiery half-century was the standout batting performance for Bangladesh as he blasted 50 off just 28 deliveries with three sixes and as many boundaries.
Shakib and Mahmudullah used all their experience to punish the inexperienced PNG bowlers all over the OCA Ground as Bangladesh set up a big target.
CAPTAIN’S KNOCK
Earlier, Bangladesh smashed a big total of 181/6 with vital contributions from Mahmudullah, who smashed 50 in 28 balls with a strike rate of 178, and Shakib al Hasan’s timely 46 comprising three maximum hits.
The PNG bowlers struggled to get going after picking up the wicket of Mohammad Naim off the second ball of the match. At 50/2, PNG had an opportunity to put Bangladesh under pressure but the latter’s ability to create small but handy partnerships kept the PNG bowlers at bay.
Shakib’s partnership with Liton Das (29, 1x6, 1x4) and later Mahmudullah (50, 3x6, 3x4) were the cornerstones of Bangladesh’s final score.
Crucial lower order contributions from Afif Hossain (21, 3x4) and Mohammad Saifuddin (19, 1x4, 2x6) powered Bangladesh past 180.