Bangladesh secure Super 12s berth after mauling PNG

Bangladesh emerged triumphant against PNG to register a massive victory by 84 runs. This win confirms their qualification for the Super 12s at the T20 World Cup. The Mahmudullah led side required a victory by a big margin to improve their run rate and fancy their chances of finishing in the top two of Group B.

The team couldn’t make it to the Super 12s due to their low rankings and thus had to go through the qualification process. Bangladesh entered the tournament with good form by its side. They won their last three T20I series and their win against Australia holds great importance. The side created history by defeating Australia 4-1 at home and marked their first series win against the Men in Yellow.

Bangladesh lost its opening fixture of the World Cup against Scotland but then bounced back stronger against Oman and PNG to exude their dominance. Against PNG, the side got to a steady start with Shakib and Liton Das making valuable contributions at the top order.

Skipper Mahmudullah then garnered the audacity of the occasion by hitting a half-century to put the team in the driver’s seat. Bangladesh posted a target of 182 for PNG. The Tigers then put up a clinical display with the ball to restrict PNG at just 97. Shakib al Hasan was the pick of bowlers as he chimed in with four crucial wickets to be one of the architects of the victory.

This win by such a big margin has enabled them to dominate Group B and now regardless of the result of Scotland’s match against Oman, Bangladesh has booked their seat for the Super 12s. It also ended the campaign of PNG who were playing their first senior World Cup. Bangladesh was placed with Oman, Papua New Guinea, and Scotland in Group B. They were expected to finish in the top two in order to advance to the Super 12s.