Bangladesh cricket team has defeated Nepal by 21 runs in a Group D game at the Arnos Vale Ground in Kingstown to secure their spot in the Super Eight in the T20 World Cup.
The Tigers lost the toss and went to bat against Nepal. 4 wickets were lost in the powerplay. Only 30 runs were deposited on the scoreboard.
Mahmudullah's run-out after the powerplay and Shakib Al Hasan's return as LBW put Bangladesh in tension.
Bangladesh finished the innings with 15 runs in 7 balls and scored 106 runs.
With an aim to earn full two points, Bangladesh took on Nepal in their last group match of the T20 World Cup on Moday (17 June) at St Vincent in West Indies.
The Tigers were in second spot now in their Group with four points and have been in advantageous position to go through the Super 8 after South Africa.
A full two points against Nepal confirmed that no equation is needed for them to move to the Super 8.
"There is no small or big team in T20 cricket. We try to see each team equally. Because T20 is a game of momentum. It is a game of only 20 overs. No one can say when the momentum changes. We try to take each team equally," Bangladesh pacer Tanzim Hasan Sakib said ahead of the match.
Sakib further ensured that Bangladesh would stick to their plan to play the aggressive brand of cricket regardless of the opponents.
"We will play aggressive cricket. We will stick to our place. It doesn't matter who the opponent is. We will try to play equally with everyone. And what you said about the wicket, we saw the wicket and there was some grass in the wicket and it seemed a bit hard. So, until the first ball, we can't say anything. Maybe after the first ball, we can say something about the wicket."
Bangladesh beat Sri Lanka by two wickets in a thrilling contest to kick-off the campaign but thereafter suffered a heartbreaking four-run defeat to South Africa. However they hit back to winning way again with 25-run victory against Netherlands. All of those, they played was held in day but the match against Nepal will be a day-night game. Sakib thinks it won't be problematic for them.
"We have played many day-night matches. This is not our first time. We all are experienced here. We might have to adjust the catch at night. We all have experience here, so this is nothing new for us. The team management can say it better whether we will play with an extra spinner or not, I don't have any idea about that," he said.
