Bangladesh survived a few scares before booking the final place in the T20 World Cup Super 8 stage with a 21-run win over Nepal.
Needing a victory to be sure of securing second spot in Group D, Bangladesh were dismissed for 106 – a total which proved enough as Nepal were shot out for 85.
Bangladesh made the worst possible start in St Vincent, a loose shot from Tanzid Hasan Tamim giving Sompal Kami a simple return catch.
Wickets fell regularly, Shakib Al Hasan top scoring with 17 as only some late blows from Rishad Hossain and Taskin Ahmed saw them to three figures.
Defeat for Bangladesh would have opened the door for the Netherlands to sneak past them on net run rate with a big win over Sri Lanka.
But two wickets in three balls from Tanzim Hasan Sakib – who took 4-7 from his fourth over – dealt Nepal’s reply early blows, opener Aasif Sheikh hitting four fours in his 17 before he fell at the end of the seventh over to leave them 26-5.
Kushel Malla and Dipendra Singh Airee added to Bangladesh nerves with a partnership of 52 brought the target within reach, experienced left armer Mustafizur Rahman returning to dismiss Malla for 27.
Airee launched Taskin Ahmed for six over point and Nepal needed 22 from 16 balls, but they got no closer as 12 straight dot balls wrapped up the game in Bangladesh’s favour.
Airee fell to Mustafizur – who finished with 3-7 – for 25 at the end of a wicket maiden in the 19th over, Shakib returning to take the final two wickets with the first two balls of the final over.
Sri Lanka sign off from T20 World Cup with win over Netherlands
Sri Lanka signed off with their first win of the T20 World Cup as they beat the Netherlands by 83 runs in St Lucia.
Charith Asalanka smashed five sixes as Sri Lanka, who had lost their opening three games, equalled the highest score of the tournament with 201-6 – a total which proved well beyond the Dutch.
Needing a big win and a heavy defeat for Bangladesh against Nepal to book a place in the last eight, the Netherlands made the perfect start when Vivian Kingma dismissed Pathum Nissanka second ball.
But he was the only top order batter to fall with opener Kusal Mendis leading the way with 46 from 27 balls.
Asalanka reached the same score from 21 balls, Dhananjaya de Silva adding 34 before two quick wickets gave the Dutch hope of restricting the total.
But Angelo Mathews hit 30 from 15 balls and captain Wanindu Hasaranga plundered 20 from just six deliveries to equal Australia’s score against England.
The Netherlands reply started well with opener Michael Levitt making 31 from 23 deliveries, but once partner Max O’Dowd fell with the score on 45, wickets fell steadily.
Captain Scott Edwards provided resistance with 31, but they were bundled out for 118 in the 17th over, Nuwan Thushara taking 3-24.
What’s next?
Bangladesh start their Super 8s on Friday June 21 (1.30am) against Australia in Antigua, with India and Afghanistan completing Group 1.
Netherlands, Sri Lanka and Nepal have all exited the tournament.
Watch every match of the Men’s ICC T20 World Cup live on Sky Sports, right up until the final on Sunday June 29.
