T20 World Cup 2022, ZIM vs BAN: Bowlers hold their nerves as Bangladesh secure a  narrow win

Bangladesh were clinical with the ball [Source: Twitter]

The 28th match of the ongoing T20 World Cup saw Bangladesh edge past Zimbabwe by three runs in Brisbane on Sunday. The Tigers moved to the second spot in the Group 2 points table with this narrow win. 

Najmul and Afif power Bangladesh to 150

After deciding to bat, Bangladesh suffered early blows, losing Soumya Sarkar and Litton Das to Blessing Muzarabani inside the powerplay. However, Najmul Hossain Shanto and Shakib Al Hasan resurrected their innings, adding crucial 54 runs for the third wicket. 

Najmul Hossain Shanto in action [Source: Twitter]

After Shakib fell prey to Sean Williams, Najmul stitched a 36-run stand with Afif Hossain, completing his half-century in this process. The stylish southpaw hammered seven glorious boundaries and one six for his 55-ball 71. After his departure, Afif ensured a fitting finish for the Tigers, propelling them to a defendable total of 150 runs at the end of 20 overs. 

Richard Ngarava was superb in the death overs for the second consecutive time, finishing with impressive figures of two for 24. Although Muzarabani scalped two wickets, Craig Ervine's decision of not completing his quota proved costly for Zimbabwe. 

Zimbabwe fall short despite Williams' heroics

In response, Zimbabwe had a disastrous start to the chase, as Taskin Ahmed and Mustafizur Rahman dismantled their top order quickly. Their trump card Sikandar Raza registered his second successive batting failure, getting out for a duck in the sixth over. 

Sean Williams (64 off 42) and Regis Chakabva tried to consolidate the innings by adding 34 runs, but Taskin Ahmed came back to dismiss the latter and tilt the game into Bangladesh's favour. 

Shakib celebrating after running Williams out [Source: Twitter]

However, Williams and Ryan Burl (27* off 25) took the game deep, stitching a magnificent stand of 63 runs. But their valiant efforts went in vain, as Zimbabwe finished on 147 at the end of 20 overs. 

Taskin recorded a spectacular three-for, conceding only 19 runs in his four overs. Mosaddek Hossain emerged as Bangladesh's hero, defending 15 runs in the last over. 

Brief Scores

Bangladesh: 150/7 (20)
Najmul Hossain Shanto 71 (55), Afif Hossain 29 (19);
Blessing Muzarabani 2/13 (2), Richard Ngarava 2/24 (4)

Zimbabwe: 147/8 (20)
Sean Williams 64 (42), Ryan Burl 27* (25) ;
Taskin Ahmed 3/19 (4), Mustafizur Rahman 2/15 (4)

Bangladesh won by three runs. 

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