17 June,2024 09:33 PM IST | Castries | mid-day online correspondent
This achievement also marks the third-lowest total successfully defended by Test-playing nations in T20Is (Pic: AFP)
Bangladesh scripted history on Monday by successfully defending the lowest total ever in T20 World Cup tournaments.
The Bangla Tigers achieved this milestone during their T20 World Cup 2024 Group D clash against Nepal at the Arnos Vale Ground in Kingstown.
In a low-scoring encounter, Bangladesh defended a modest total of 107 runs by dismissing Nepal for just 85 runs in 19.2 overs.
This feat surpassed South Africa's record in T20 World Cup 2024, where they defended 114 runs against Bangladesh, securing victory by a narrow margin in New York.
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This achievement also marks the third-lowest total successfully defended by Test-playing nations in T20Is. Previously, West Indies defended 97 runs against Ireland in Kingston in 2014, and Zimbabwe defended 106 runs against West Indies in Port of Spain in 2010.
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Opting to bowl first after winning the toss, Nepal's bowlers, led by skipper Rohit Paudel (2/20), Sandeep Lamichhane (2/17), Dipendra Singh (2/22), and Sompal Kami (2/10), restricted Bangladesh's batsmen. All-rounder Shakib al Hasan top-scored with 17 runs as Bangladesh were bundled out for 106 runs in 19.3 overs.
In response, Nepal struggled with wickets falling at regular intervals despite efforts from Kushal Malla (27 off 40 balls) and Dipendra Singh Airee (25 off 31 balls). The duo managed a 52-run partnership for the sixth wicket, but Nepal fell short, finishing at 85 runs in 19.2 overs.
Bangladesh's bowlers Tanzim Hasan Sakib (4/7) and Taskin Ahmed (3/7) spearheaded the defense, dismantling Nepal's batting lineup.
Tanzim Hasan Sakib was awarded the 'Player of the Match' for his stellar bowling performance.
With this victory, Bangladesh secured the final Super Eight berth from Group D, finishing second with three wins and one loss, accumulating six points. In contrast, Nepal ended at the bottom of the points table with zero wins, three losses, one no-result, and one point.
(With agency inputs)
