Sakib shines as Bangladesh enter Super 8 stage

|| CF DESK ||

Bangladesh secured a place in the Super Eights of the T20 World Cup with a 21-run victory over Nepal on Sunday. Despite struggling with the bat on a challenging pitch at Arnos Vale, where they were bowled out for 106 in 19.3 overs, a brilliant bowling performance led by Tanzim Hasan Sakib ensured their win. Tanzim's exceptional spell of 4-7 left Nepal reeling at 26-5.

Although Nepal mounted a recovery, Mustafizur Rahman's impressive figures of 3-7, including a crucial wicket maiden in the penultimate over, sealed the win as Nepal were dismissed for 85 in 19.2 overs.

Bangladesh's victory ensured they finished second in Group D behind South Africa, advancing to Group 1 of the Super Eights along with Afghanistan, India, and Australia.

Tanzim's pace and bounce proved too challenging for Nepal's top order. He took two wickets in his second over, dismissing Kushal Bhurtel with a full toss and Anil Sah for a duck.

He also benefited from a loose shot by Nepal's captain Rohit Paudel, who was caught at point, and later removed Sundeep Jora to leave Nepal struggling at 26-6.

A 52-run partnership between Dipendra Singh Airee (25) and Kushal Malla (27) provided some hope for Nepal. However, Malla was deceived by a slower ball from Mustafizur, leading to his dismissal, and with 22 runs needed off the final two overs, Mustafizur's wicket maiden extinguished Nepal's chances.

The match concluded when Abinash Bohara was trapped lbw by Shakib Al Hasan in the final over.

Nepal had initially put Bangladesh under pressure with their bowling. Sompal Kami dismissed Tanzid Hasan with the first ball of the innings, and Dipendra Singh Airee clean-bowled Shanto in the second over.

Kami's persistence paid off with the key wicket of Liton Das, and spinners found plenty of turn to trouble Bangladesh's batsmen. Sandeep Lamichhane bowled Jaker Ali with a googly, reaching his 100th T20I wicket, leaving Bangladesh at 75-8 in the 16th over.

Rishad Hossain's aggressive 13 off seven balls, including a six and a four, helped lift the score slightly, while the last-wicket partnership between Mustafizur and Taskin Ahmed added 18 runs, ensuring Bangladesh posted a total just over 100.