Al Amerat: Bangladesh outplayed Papua New Guinea by 84 runs in Al Amerat on Thursday to qualify for the Super 12 from Group B of the ongoing ICC World Cup T20. Batting first at the Al Amerat Cricket Ground, Bangladesh posted a 181/7 in 20 overs before packing the PNG side home for a mere 97 runs in 19.3 overs.
Skipper Mahmudullah played a stunning knock of 50 off just 28 balls after Shakib – Al – Hasan(46) and Liton Das(29) added runs up the order despite losing wicket in the opening over of the game. Kabua Morea(2/26) was the pick of the PNG bowlers with Assad Vala(2/26) picking up a couple of scalps well.
Later towards the end, breezy knocks from Afif Hossain(21) and Mohammad Saifuddin(19) boosted the innings to a formidable total.
Papua New Guinea In reply however, was unable to withstand the quality of Bangladeshi bowlers who ran havoc at them. Apart from Kipling Doriga(46) and Chad Soper(11), none of the batters got into double digits.
Veteran Shakib (4/9) proved his worth as one of best all-rounders in the world as he lead the Bangladeshi bowling supremacy after playing a handy knock with bat earlier. Besides him, Saifuddin(2/21) too after hammering runs down the order chipped in with a couple of wickets while frontline seamer Taskin Ahmed(2/12) also bowled well to ensure Bangladesh qualify for the next stage of the tournament.
In the other game from same group, Scotland grabbed remaining berth in the Super 12 beating Oman by 8 wickets. Scotland came into this with two wins in two games in their and showed no signs stopping as they scored 123/2 in 17 overs after bundling Oman out for a mere 122 in 20 overs.
Earlier, Oman’s innings crumbled in front of a disciplined Scotland bowling. Opener Aqib Llyas(37) topped the charts for the hosts and besides him, skipper Zeeshan Maqsood(34) and Mohammad Nadeem(25) were only batsmen to score in the double digits. Scottish bowlers continued their consistency in this preliminary group stage as seamer Josh Davey(3/25) lead the charge alongside fellow pacer Safyaan Sharif(2/25) while spinner Michael Leask(2/13) also bowled a tight spell.
In reply, the Scotland’s chase was powered by their skipper Kyle Coetzer’s breezy 28 ball 41 at the top which laid the foundation with his opening partner George Munsey(20) also adding valuable runs. However, despite their departures, Scotland had no issues to reach the target as Mathew Cross(26*) alongside veteran Richie Berrington remained unbeaten to get their side them over line sealing a place in the next round.
