Bangladesh triumphed over Nepal in a thrilling encounter by 21 runs during the 37th match of the T20 World Cup, concluding their group-stage campaign. Opting to bat first at Arnos Vale Ground in Kingstown, Bangladesh struggled to 106 runs before being dismissed by Nepal’s formidable bowling attack. Sompal Kami, Dipendra Singh, Rohit Paudel, and Sandeep Lamichhane each took two wickets, restricting Bangladesh.
Nepal, choosing to bowl first after winning the toss, capitalized on the T20 World Cup trend. Sompal Kami’s early wicket set the tone, as Bangladesh failed to muster any significant partnerships, falling for a modest total of 106 runs.
Attention then turned to Nepal’s batting, scrutinized after their previous encounter with South Africa. Despite a strong start against South Africa, Nepal’s top order succumbed to Bangladesh’s bowling prowess. With Nepal struggling at 26 for 5 wickets within 7 overs, victory seemed imminent for Bangladesh. However, Kushal Maila and Dipendra Airee fought back valiantly, adding 52 runs for the 6th wicket but falling short of the target. 
Bangladesh anticipated a more commanding performance from their batsmen. Their sole loss to South Africa underscored batting deficiencies that must be rectified heading into the Super 8 stage. Conversely, Nepal will rue missed opportunities, having squandered two games due to batting failures.
Here are five pivotal moments that defined this contest:
Rishad Hossain’s decisive contribution:
Struggling at 75 for 8 wickets after 16 overs, Bangladesh faced the prospect of falling short of 90 runs. Despite challenging conditions, Rishad Hossain, noted for his bowling prowess, took charge. His aggressive strokeplay against Kushal Bhurtel yielded 13 crucial runs, significantly boosting Bangladesh’s total.
Taskin Ahmed’s crucial innings:
Taskin Ahmed’s knock of 12 runs from 15 balls proved pivotal in a match defined by narrow margins. The tall fast bowler played a crucial hand with the bat, nudging Bangladesh past the 100-run mark, a vital contribution given the game’s context.
Tanzim Hasan Sakib’s early dominance:
Bangladesh needed a strong start with the ball to defend their modest total. While Taskin Ahmed was expected to lead the charge, Tanzim Hasan Sakib shone brightest. Bowling his full quota in an initial spell, Sakib conceded just 7 runs while claiming 4 crucial wickets, dismantling Nepal’s top order.
Mustafizur Rahman’s game-changing cameo:
Despite Nepal’s early struggles at 26 for 5 wickets, Kushal Maila and Dipendra Airee staged a remarkable recovery. Their partnership of 52 runs for the 6th wicket put Bangladesh on edge until Mustafizur Rahman intervened. The experienced Rahman broke the partnership and triggered a collapse by dismissing Kushal in the 17th over.
Mustafizur’s decisive blow:
Despite removing Kushal Maila, Bangladesh faced a tense situation with Dipendra Airee in good form. Mustafizur Rahman once again rose to the occasion, dismissing Dipendra in the 19th over and bowling a maiden, sealing Bangladesh’s victory and securing their spot in the Super 8.
Bangladesh demonstrated resilience throughout the group stage but must address batting inconsistencies, particularly against formidable opponents like Australia, India, and Afghanistan in the Super 8. Their first encounter in the next phase will be against Australia on May 21 at Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in North Sound, Antigua.
