In the 37th match of the ongoing ICC T20 World Cup 2024, Bangladesh faced Nepal at Arnos Vale Ground, Kingstown in St Vincent on June 16. Nepal won the toss and opted to bowl first, and their bowlers delivered a stellar performance, restricting Bangladesh to a below-par total of 106 all out in 19.3 overs.

Early wickets set the tone

Bangladesh’s innings got off to a disastrous start. Opener Tanzid Hasan was dismissed for a golden duck by Sompal Kami, setting the tone for Nepal’s bowling dominance. Litton Das followed soon after, managing only 10 runs. Najmul Hossain Shanto could add just 4 runs, while captain Shakib Al Hasan scored 17 off 22 balls before falling.

Nepal’s bowlers kept the pressure on, taking wickets at regular intervals and not allowing Bangladesh to settle. Rohit Paudel, Sompal Kami, Dipendra Singh Airee, and Sandeep Lamichhane each claimed two wickets, ensuring that Bangladesh couldn’t build any substantial partnerships. Rishad Hossain attempted to accelerate towards the end, scoring a quick 13 off 7 balls, but lacked support from the other end.

Bangladesh’s struggles and super eight qualification scenario

Bangladesh’s struggle with the bat has put their Super Eight qualification in jeopardy. They need a win to secure their spot, but a significant loss to Nepal, combined with a strong victory for the Netherlands over Sri Lanka, could see them miss out. Despite a recent defeat to the USA in a T20I series, Bangladesh’s middle-order and bowlers have shown promise. Rishad Hossain’s seven-wicket haul in the tournament has been a standout, while the pace trio of Taskin Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman, and Tanzim Hasan have provided crucial breakthroughs.

Nepal, seeking redemption after a narrow one-run loss to South Africa, reflected on missed opportunities and were motivated by the heartbreak of Gulsan Jha’s run-out on the final ball. Their bowlers’ exceptional performance today highlighted their capability. Players like Kushal Bhurtel and Dipendra Singh Airee, who have collectively taken seven wickets in the tournament, alongside Aasif Sheikh’s form, offer hope for Nepal. Their aggressive hitters also pose a significant threat.

See Also: T20 WC 2024, Match 37: Tanzim-Mustafizur star as Bangladesh beat Nepal by 21 runs

Nepal’s bowlers did an excellent job in restricting Bangladesh to a low total, giving their team a fighting chance in this crucial match. As the game progresses, both teams will be looking to capitalize on their strengths to secure a much-needed victory in their respective quests for the Super Eight stage of the T20 World Cup 2024.