All-rounder Sakib al Hasan put up an impressive performance to guide Bangladesh into the ICC World Twenty20 Super 10 stage on net run-rate but not before they were humiliated by Hong Kong in Chittagong on Thursday.
Hong Kong created history and notched their maiden Twenty20 International win, as the experienced Munir Dar’s 36 off 27 balls helped Hong Kong reach 114-8 in 19.4 overs after a four-wicket haul by Nadeem Ahmed helped dismiss the Tigers for a paltry 108 in 16.3 overs.
Sakib’s double strike in the eighth over to remove Irfan Ahmed (34) and Jamie Atkinson (7) gave the Tigers a sigh of relief as the two new batsmen could not produce the run-rate required to chase the target in 13.1 overs and eliminate the hosts.
Sakib put up an impressive performance to save Bangladesh from an early embarrassment after their batsmen
failed to show any sort of application.
Sakib picked up 3-9 and stalled the run-rate of Hong Kong, which was crucial after Nepal beat Afghanistan earlier to finish the first round level with Bangladesh on four points.
Hong Kong managed just 69-5 in 13.2 overs, depriving Nepal a place in the Super 10s.
Hong Kong went about their business in clinical style to get the required runs and humiliate the hosts, who came in as big favourites.
Hong Kong pace bowler Tanwir Afzal reduced the Tigers to 3-2 before all-rounder Sakib al Hasan and Anamul Haque resurrected the innings by putting on 48 runs for the third wicket.
Birthday boy Tamim Iqbal disheartened his home crowd as he was bowled for a duck, while Sabbir Rahman (2) was trapped in front to end a dream-like first for the former Pakistan Under-19 seamer Afzal.
Sakib continued to play his strokes, while Anamul complimented him to help the Tigers avoid any further damage.
Anamul (26) showed evidence of his good form when he pulled one six off Afzal initially and later welcomed left-arm spinner Nadeem Ahmed by stroking three successive boundaries.
But the left-arm spinner had the last laugh as Anamul chopped the last delivery of the over onto his stumps to fall for 26.
Sakib and skipper Mushfiqur Rahim started to dominate proceedings before the all-rounder pulled Irfan Khan’s short delivery straight into the hands of Nizakat Khan at deep square-leg.
It also brought on a batting collapse, as the Tigers lost their remaining six wickets for only 23 runs.
Mushfiq was the first player in a queue of batsmen who displayed an inability to play proper cricket, holing out at extra cover after making 23.
Mahmudullah, Abdur Razzak, Farhad Reza, Rubel Hossain and Al-Amin Hossain could not give any company to Nasir
Hossain (14 not out) as Bangladesh folded for 108 in 16.3 overs.
Left-arm spinner Nadeem Ahmed picked up 4-21 for Hong Kong and was ably supported by leg-spinner Nizakhat Khan (3-13) to rip through the Tigers’ batting order.
