Nepal suffers 21-run defeat against Bangladesh as poor batting form continues

KATHMANDU: Nepal’s disappointing batting performance continued as it folded for a paltry 85 against Bangladesh in its final match of the 2024 Men’s T20 World Cup in Kingstown today.

Despite restricting Bangladesh to 106, Nepal struggled with the bat as five of its batters failed to score any run and conceded a 21-run defeat.

Sompal Kami took the wicket of Tanzid Hasan in the very first ball of the innings. Kami then took the wicket of Litton Das (10) in his third over. Nepali bowlers took wickets at regular intervals to put pressure on Bangladesh. Najmul Hossain Shanto (4) fell for four, Shakib Al Hasan (17) was trapped leg before by Rohit Poudel who also took the wicket of Towhid Hridoy (9). Gulshan Jha ran out Mahmudullah for 12. Sandeep Lamichhane bowled Jaker Ali (12) and Tanzim Hasan Sakib (3). Rishad Hossain scored 13 while Taskin Ahmed remained unbeaten at 12.

Sompal Kami, Rohit Poudel, Sandeep Lamichhane and Dipendra Singh Airee took two wickets each for Nepal. Nepal made a disastrous start in the chase of 107 to get their first win of the game. Opener Kushal Bhurtel could score only four runs off eight balls. Anil Sah was out for a duck, while Rohit Poudel and Sandeep Jora manage only a run each. Kushal Malla (27) and Dipendra Singh Airee (25) gave Nepal some hope but both were removed by Mustafizur Rahman. Gulshan Jha, Sompal Kami and Abinash Bohara were all out for a duck.

Tanzim Hasan Sakib took four wickets for Bangladesh, while Mustafizur Rahman claimed three, Shakib Al Hasan contributed two and Taskin Ahmed chipped in with a wicket.

Bangladesh and South Africa have qualified for the Super 8 from Group D.