Bangladesh into Super 8, Nepal is Out of the T20 World Cup 2024

Nepal has been ruled out of the ICC Men’s T20I World Cup 2024 after losing against Bangladesh in the qualifying match for the Super 8.

Bangladesh has become the 8th and final team to enter the Super 8 of the T20 World Cup 2024. This came into effect after BAN defeated Nepal by 21 runs at the Arnos Vale Ground, Kingstown, St Vincent.

Nepal won the toss and decided to field first.

First Innings

Batting first, Bangladesh could not add satisfactory runs to the scoreboard. The batting was poor. The first wicket (Tanzid Hasan) fell for the golden duck. None of the batsmen could score more than 17 runs. Shakib’s score was highest, 17 runs off 22 balls.

The team got whitewashed in 106 runs in 19.3 overs. Nepalese bowlers confronted the Bangla batsmen and showcased a great performance. Sompal, Dipendra, Rohit, and Lamichhane took 2 wickets each.

Second Innings

Nepal is emerging as one of the strongest cricket nations that is making its mark in the T20I cricket. Nepal’s latest contest against South Africa was one such testimonial.

Chasing the target score of 107 runs, Nepal was unable to start well. The opener, Kushal Bhurtel was sent to the pavilion in the third over, he scored only 4 off 8 balls. After this wicket, the batsmen got out, one after the other till Kushal Malla and Dipendra Singh Airee took charge and tried to pull the match to their side.

The duo’s efforts didn’t bring any results and Mustafizur took both the wickets. Kushal and Dipendra scored 27 runs off 40 balls, and 25 runs off 31 balls respectively.

After these wickets, four lower-order players got out by scoring a zero and the team got whitewashed in 19.2 overs and scored only 85 runs.

Bangladesh’s bowling was impressive. Under the pressure of a lower target score, bowlers are required to stop runs and take wickets, the Bangla bowlers did the same. Tanzim appeared to be the star bowler and player of the match.

The bowler took 4 wickets, dismissing Kushal Bhurtel, Anil Sah, Rohit Paudel, and Sundeep Jora. Tanzim’s bowling destroyed the opening and middle-order batting line-up.

Mustafizur Rahman also restricted the Nepalese batting by taking 3 wickets and dismissing Aasaf Sheikh, Kushal Malla, and Dipendra Singh. Taskin and Shakib took 1 and 2 wickets respectively.

Eventually, Bangladesh won the match by 21 runs and entered the Super 8 of the T20 World Cup 2024.

What’s Next?

After qualification from Group D, Bangladesh was placed in Group 1. The team will play their next match against Australia on 20th June at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium, North Sound, Antigua.

Bangladesh has never won the ICC Men’s T20I World Cup trophy. Can this year be a special one for them?

Also read - The Super 8 of the T20I World Cup 2024