Shakib Al Hasan’s brilliant all-round performance helped Bangladesh advance in the T20 World Cup after beating Papua New Guinea by 84 runs on Thursday.
Shakib made 46 runs off 28 balls in Bangladesh’s impressive total of 181-7, then the world’s leading wicket-taker in T20s took 4-9, slicing through an inexperienced PNG top order. The T20 World Cup debutant was bowled out for 97 in 19.3 overs.
The thumping win ensured Bangladesh’s place in the Super 12 from Group B on net run-rate with two wins from three games.
Scotland, which has defeated PNG and Bangladesh, was meeting co-host Oman in the late game. The winner will advance.
“It was much needed (the win),” Bangladesh captain Mahmudullah said. “The intent was there from the batters … the wicket was better in comparison, so the batters did well to get 180.”
PNG was reduced to 7-29 within 11 overs and No. 8 batsman Kiplin Doriga lashed out with 46 not out for nearly half of their runs.
Shakib, introduced in the batting powerplay, dismissed Charles Amini and Simon Atai in his first over as Bangladesh held onto some superb catches.
Sese Bau holed out to long-on off Shakib and the left-arm spinner rounded off his spell by seeing Hiri Hiri caught behind off a mistimed slog sweep for a duck in his T20 World Cup debut.
Earlier, Mahmudullah top-scored with 50 off 28 balls and Shakib hammered three sixes in a daunting Bangladesh total.
Meanwhile, Shakib Al Hasan equalled former Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi’s record for most wickets in ICC T20 World Cup. Afridi and Shakib have 39 wickets each in the global event. However, the former Bangladesh skipper took just 28 matches to reach the milestone and his economy rate of 6.38 is better than Afridi. The former Pakistan player achieved the landmark in 34 matches.