Bangladesh keeps hopes with win

Haridev Pushparaj

Muscat, Oct 19

Oman put up a gallant performance against the much fancied Bangladesh side but went down by 26 runs in their highly anticipated Group B encounter of the ICC T20 World Cup 2021 at Oman Cricket Academy Ground, here on Tuesday.

After a spirited bowling effort ensured that Bangladesh were bowled out for 153 in 20 overs, Oman sniffed a monumental victory when they were 70/2 after 10 overs with Jatinder Singh going great guns. However, Bangladesh smarting from their shock defeat to Scotland in their opening game, brought all the experience in their ranks including that of their IPL superstars Shakib al Hasan and Mustafizur Rahman as Oman’s innings was wrapped up for 127/9 in 20 overs to hand Bangladesh two crucial points in their quest to progress to the Super 12 stage.

Shakib struck a crucial 42 runs when Bangladesh batted and then came away with match-winning figures of 3/28 to rattle Oman. Mustafizur scalped 4/24 in 3 overs with his wrong uns, slower balls and subtle changes in line and length upsetting the inexperienced Oman batters.

POOR FIELDING

Earlier in Oman’s innings, they kept up with the required run-rate and were also helped by some ridiculous fielding from Bangladesh.

Mahmudullah dropped Prajapati off Mustafizur Rahman in the sixth over and the Oman batsman made the most of it by tonking a six. Mustafizur had the last laugh though as he got Prajapati out caught behind by wicket-keeper Nurul Hasan.

At the halfway stage, Oman were 70/2 after 10 overs with Jatinder Singh batting on 30 and the T20 World Cup co-hosts dreaming of an improbable victory.

In the 11th over, Oman skipper Zeeshan Maqsood flicked Taskin Ahmed for a disdainful six over the square leg boundary as Bangladesh searched for a wicket.

Maqsood was later snapped up by Mahedi Hasan as he was brilliantly caught at deep square leg by Mustafizur. Oman then suffered a huge setback when star batsman Jatinder was out at square leg off Shakib as Bangladesh brought the game back on even terms.

When Sandeep Goud was lapped up at cover by Mushfiqur, Oman’s chase was faltering and losing direction. Ayaan Khan wanted to press the pedal and was caught at long off by Mahmudullah and then in no time he found another catch coming his way the next ball when Naseem Khushi got out.

DISCIPLINED BOWLING

Earlier, Oman produced a disciplined bowling performance to get Bangladesh bowled out for 153 in 20 overs.

Bilal Khan, Kaleemullah and Fayyaz Butt were all among the wickets as they scalped eight among them.

Oman’s bowlers were initially let down by their fielders as three catches were dropped, two by Kashyap Prajapati and one by Jatinder Singh, which had its impact on the match.

Mohammad Naim, who topscored with a classy 64, was dropped by Prajapati in the eighth over with Bangladesh still building their innings. There were flashes of brilliance from Oman when Fayyaz Butt pulled off a stunning caught and bowled opportunity to send Mahedi Hasan packing.

It then took a match-turning 80-run partnership between the vastly experienced Shakib al Hasan (42) and Naim to get Bangladesh back on track for a competitive score.

Bangladesh began their onslaught by the 10th over with Shakib going on the offensive against Kaleemullah with some innovative scoop shots through the leg slip area.

Shakib cut loose in the 12th over when he carted Mohammad Nadeem for two consecutive boundaries, first straight down the ground and the second through square leg. Bangladesh were looking ominous at that stage. Nadeem went for 17 overs in the 12th over. However, Aqib Ilyas’s excellent direct hit nailed Shakib as Oman looked to put brakes when Bangladesh appeared to be heading towards a big total.

When Naim brought up his fifty in the 15th over with a boundary, Bangladesh looked set for a 160 plus score. But when Bangladesh lost three wickets for 10 runs to slide from 112/3 to 122/6, Oman had found their way back into the game and hoped to restrict the Bangladesh outfit for under 150.

When the seasoned Mushfiqur Rahim and Mahmudullah came to the crease, they wanted to inflict some serious damage but that didn’t quite happen.

Mushfiqur was caught at slip for a soft dismissal off Fayyaz Butt and Mahmudullah perished for 17 after a six and a four. Bangladesh eventually folded up for 153 as Oman kept themselves in the match.

Brief scores: Bangladesh 153 all out in 20 overs (Mohammad Naim 64, Shakib al Hasan 42; Bilal Khan 3-18, Fayaz Butt 3-30, Kaleemullah 2-30) bt Oman 127-9 in 20 overs (Jatinder Singh 40, Kashyap Prajapati 21; Mustafizur Rahman 4-36, Shakib al Hasan 3-28)