Bangladesh’s T20 World Cup (WC) campaign ended with a 5-wicket defeat to Pakistan in their last Group-2 match of the ‘Super Twelve’ phase at the Adelaide Oval in Australia on Sunday.
Pacer Shaheen Afridi’s four-wicket haul helped Pakistan to earn a semi-final place along with India from Group-2. Afridi grabbed four wickets in the space of 22 runs and was adjudged the Man of the Match.
Shakib became frustrated when he was given out by leg before wicket for just naught as Bangladesh’s strong batting Powerplay was suddenly halted.
The best all-rounder of T20 World Cup, who led Bangladesh was given out LBW by South Africa umpire Adrian Holdstock and he immediately sent the decision to be reviewed as he was convinced he had edged the ball onto his pad. But the decision was not given in favour of him.
Before Yesterday’s match, Bangladesh and Pakistan collected four points from their respective four matches. If Bangladesh won the Sunday’s match, Bangladesh would have reached the semi-final of the T20 World Cup. But ill-fated Bangladesh missed their superb chance as they tasted defeat to Pakistan in their crucial last Group-2 match.
By virtue of yesterday’s victory, Pakistan managed to take a place in last four.
Electing to bat first, Bangladesh made 127 for the loss of eight wickets in the stipulated 20 overs.
In reply, Pakistan sailed home making 128 for the loss of five wickets when they had 11 balls to spare.
Bangladesh had a modest start with two openers Najmul Hossain Shanto and Litton Das scoring together 21 runs before Litton (10)
was caught at the backward point by Shan Masood off Shaheen Shah Afridi. Shanto hit a sparkle 54. His 48-ball innings was laced with seven fours.
After Litton’s departure, Shanto and Soumya Sarkar repaired the damage contributing together 52 runs for the second wicket partnership before Soumya was caught at the point by Shan Masood off Shadab Khan when Bangladesh’s total was 73 for the loss of two wickets.
Soumya scored 20 from 17 balls featuring one six and one four.
Second-down Shakib Al Hasan (0) was trapped leg before wicket by Shadab Khan when Bangladesh’s score was 73 for the loss of three wickets. Shakib’s dismissal was a controversial decision.
After Shanto’s dismissal, Bangladesh batters failed to make any notable partnership.
Afif remained unbeaten with 24 runs. His 20-ball knock was belted with three fours.
Pacer Afridi played the key role to mop up the Bangladesh’s middle-order and tail-enders.
Shadab Khan bagged two wickets instead of 20 runs, while Iftikhar Ahmed and Haris Rauf took one wicket each for 15 and 21 runs respectively.
Pakistan made a good start as openers Mohammad Rizwan and Babar Azam scored together 57 runs in the opening stand before Babar (25) was caught at the short third man by Mustafizur Rahman off Nasum Ahmed.
Rizwan was caught at the point by Shanto off Ebadot Hossain when Pakistan’s total was 61 for the loss of two wickets.
Rizwan hit a run-a-ball 32 with two fours and a sixer.
Haris cracked a fine 31 from 18 balls including two sixes and a four.
Masood remained unbeaten with 24 runs. He hit two fours in his 14-ball knock and helped his team to overhaul the winning target.
Nasum Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman, Ebadot Hossain and Shakib Al Hasan took one wicket each for 14, 21, 25 and 33 runs respectively.