BRISBANE: Bangladesh got their Twenty20 World Cup back on track Sunday with a thrilling last-ball win over Zimbabwe, aided by opener Najmul Shanto’s maiden half-century and Taskin Ahmed’s three wickets.
Shanto (71) helped steer Bangladesh to 150-7 at Brisbane’s Gabba ground in a match that went to the wire with Zimbabwe needing 16 off an incredible last over.
It saw two wickets fall, a big six and the teams walking off thinking the match was over, only to be recalled.
Bangladesh believed they had won when Blessing Muzarabani, needing five to win, was stumped trying to hit a six off the last ball with the fielding team celebrating as the players shook hands and left the field.
But a review showed wicketkeeper Nurul Hasan’s gloves taking the ball in front of the stumps, which is illegal, and it was called a no-ball.
The teams had to return for a free hit with four needed to win, but Muzarabani swung and missed again leaving Zimbabwe short on 147-8.
“It’s a totally new experience for us, but we knew we could do well in this pressure situation,” said Shanto.
“Honestly, it was a little bit nervous, but we believed we could do it.
“For me, it was my best innings. And everyone bowled well, we all supported each other.”
Man-of-the-match Ahmed, who took 3-19, added that “I’ve seen something like that for the first time”, referring to the last-ball drama.
Victory pushed Bangladesh to four points in Group 2 with two games remaining, level with India who face South Africa, who have three points, in Perth later Sunday.
Pakistan meet the Netherlands in a must-win game, also in Perth, with neither side having yet scored a point.
Brilliant catch
Defeat left Zimbabwe, who stunned Pakistan by one run on Thursday, still in the hunt for a semi-final place with three points.
The top two in each group advance to the last four.
Bangladesh skipper Shakib Al Hasan won the toss and chose to bat only to see opener Soumya Sarkar out in the second over without scoring, caught behind off pace bowler Muzarabani.
Shanto smacked two early boundaries as he put on 22 with Liton Das before Das ballooned a catch to Tendai Chatara off a slower Muzarabani delivery.
Despite some scratchy fielding, Zimbabwe bowled economically to keep the score down to 63-2 at the halfway stage.
But once past that mark, Bangladesh became more aggressive with Shanto reaching his first T20 50 off 45 balls – Bangladesh’s first half-century of the tournament.
Al Hasan, who has played in every T20 World Cup since its inception in 2007, survived a run-out chance on 23 at the other end but fell five balls later, caught brilliantly by Muzarabani from spinner Sean Williams, snapping a 54-run partnership.
Shanto kept going alongside Hossain then holed out to Craig Ervine before Bangladesh took 47 from the last five overs.
In massive upset, Pakistan go down by 1 run against Zimbabwe in T20 World Cup
Zimbabwe were on the back foot immediately in reply, with Wessly Madhevere out on just the third ball, top-edging Ahmed to Mustafizur Rahman in the deep.
Mustafizur Rahman was brought into the attack and took Milton Shumba on his second ball then danger man Sikandar Raza was out in the same over to leave Zimbabawe on 35-4.
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