With a thrilling last-ball victory over Zimbabwe on Sunday, Bangladesh re-started its T20 World Cup. And helped by opener Najmul Shanto’s first half-century and Taskin Ahmed’s three wickets. At Brisbane’s Gabba stadium, where the game came down to the final over. With Zimbabwe needing 16 off an incredible final over, Shanto (71), led Bangladesh to 150-7.
The Final Over Drama in Bangladesh and Zimbabwe Match
Two wickets were lost and a booming six was hit. And the teams left the field believing the game was finished only for it to be called back. When Blessing Muzarabani, who needed five runs to win, went out trying to hit a six off the final ball. The fielding team celebrated as the players shook hands and exited the field, and Bangladesh thought they had won.
However, a review revealed that wicketkeeper Nurul Hasan’s gloves illegally caught the ball in front of the stumps. Hence it was ruled a no-ball. With four needed to win, the teams had to re-enter the field for a free hit. But Muzarabani missed again, leaving Zimbabwe short 147-8.
Bangladesh now has four points in Group 2 with two games left, putting them on par with India. It is playing South Africa, who has three points, later on, Sunday in Perth. Both teams are yet to register a point as Pakistan takes on the Netherlands in a match that must be won.
With three points and a loss, Zimbabwe, on Thursday shocked Pakistan by one run. It was no longer in contention for a semifinal spot.
Each group’s top two finishers proceed to the final four. On a beautiful day, Bangladesh captain Shakib Al Hasan won the toss and elected to bat. But opener Soumya Sarkar was dismissed for zero in the second over after being caught behind by fast bowler Muzarabani.
Before Liton Das ballooned a catch to Tendai Chatara off a slower Muzarabani delivery. Shanto hit two early boundaries as he piled on 22 with him. Zimbabwe bowled economically to hold the score at 63-2 at the midway point despite some shaky fielding.
Excellent catch in Bangladesh vs Zimbabwe
However, after passing that threshold, Bangladesh stepped up its aggression and effectively rotated the strike. But this led to Shanto scoring Bangladesh’s maiden tournament half-century off 45 balls and reaching his first T20 50.
The 54-run partnership was broken when Al Hasan, who has been in every T20 World Cup since its establishment in 2007. He evaded a run-out attempt at the other end. And fell five balls later after being beautifully collected by Muzarabani off-spinner Sean Williams. After continuing to bat with Hossain, Shanto holed out to Craig Ervine. As Bangladesh scored 47 runs off the final five overs.
Wessly Madhevere, who top-edged Ahmed to Mustafizur Rahman in the deep, put Zimbabwe on the back foot right away in their reply.
The situation worsened when, two overs later, captain Craig Ervine followed him back to the pavilion. And took Ahmed’s second catch by edging to the wicketkeeper Hasan. After Sikandar Raza, a dangerous bowler was dismissed in the same over. Mustafizur Rahman entered the fray and promptly removed Milton Shumba, leaving Zimbabwe on 35-4.
After 10 overs, Regis Chakabva and Sean Williams (both with 64) had brought them to 64-4. But a bowling change saw Ahmed return to dismiss Chakabva, ending the partnership (15). When Williams was run out with eight balls remaining and they still required 56 from the final five overs, their chances appeared to be lost before the exciting final over.
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