Bangladesh qualify for T20 World Cup Super 12 with win over PNG

Bangladesh have registered a comprehensive victory against Papua New Guinea by 84 runs and have qualified for the T20 World Cup Super 12 after posting a target of 182.

The T20 World Cup campaign began in the worst possible manner for Mahmudullah and his men after their suffered a shock defeat to Scotland. However, they bounced back and registered two back-to-back victories against Oman, and PNG today.

After winning the toss, Bangladesh opted to bat first and lost Mohammad Naim for naught whereas Liton Das and Mushfiqur Rahim were sent back for 29 and 5 respectively as they slipped to 72-3.

Shakib Al Hasan, who starred in his last outing against Oman, steadied the Bangladesh innings with a brilliant knock of 47 which included three maximums.

An attempt for the fourth six got Shakib out at long-on off skipper Assad Vala, who managed 2-26 from his three overs.

Skipper Mahmudullah kept up the charge and scored a 50 with three six and three fours in just 27 balls which brought back the momentum for Bangladesh.

Afif Hossain and Mohammad Saifuddin added valuable runs towards the death overs to get to 181 runs after 20 overs.

For PNG, it was a disappointing outing as they failed to put up a competitive display from the get-go. The Bangladesh bowlers dismantled the PNG batting lineup and left them 29-7 in the 11th over.

Shakib Al Hasan took four wickets and gave away only 9 runs from his four overs, equalling Shahid Afridi's record of most wickets in T20 World Cup history with 39.

Bangladesh's Shakib Al Hasan has equalled Shahid Afridi's record of most wickets (39) in T20 World Cup history ✅

He claimed a four-wicket haul against PNG. #BANvPNG pic.twitter.com/KWnQ3IDnfU

— Cricket Pakistan (@cricketpakcompk) October 21, 2021

Although the match was lost, Kiplin Doriga put up a superb fight late into the game and scored an unbeaten 46 to push PNG's total to 97 before being bowled out by a hungry Bangladesh bowling attack.

Saifuddin and Taskin Ahmed picked up two wickets each whereas Mahedi Hasan also popped up with a wicket.