Shakib's record-equalling spell helps Bangladesh thrash PNG by 84 runs

Papua New Guinea (PNG) registered their second-lowest total in T20Is as Bangladesh won the match by a huge margin of 84 runs and booked their place in the Super 12 stage after initial hiccup against Scotland. Chasing a total of 182, PNG were bundled out for 97 by Bangladesh bowlers in their last match of the tournament’s group stage. Playing in their first T20 World Cup, PNG bowed out of the tournament without a single win against their name.  

 

Doriga saves PNG from embarrassment

Kiplin Doriga walked in to bat when PNG were 24/6. In the next over, another wicket fell and PNG feared getting bundled out for a record lowest total in World Cup. But the wicketkeeper-batter stitched partnerships with the lower order batters to save them from embarrassment. He remained unbeaten for 46 from 34 deliveries and hit two fours, two sixes. He missed his maiden half-century as the no.11 batter got out with three more balls to go. 

 

Collapse of epic proportions

It was a forgettable performance with the bat for PNG. Not one out of the seven batters managed to score in double digits while two got out for ducks. They looked helpless against Shakib Al Hasan and were reduced to 29/7 in the 11th over. Doriga’s knock saved them from posting the lowest total in the history of T20 World Cup which is currently held by Netherlands, who were bundled out for 39 by Sri Lanka in World Cup 2014. 

Record for Shakib

Shakib took four wickets for just nine runs and registered his best bowling figures in the tournament. The left-arm spinner wreaked havoc on PNG’s middle order. With four wickets in the match, the veteran all-rounder equalled the record of Shahid Afridi, who has most wickets (39) in T20 World Cup. 

Mahmudullah back in-form

Mahmudullah was getting starts in the last two matches but failed to capitalise on them. This time, Mahmudullah went on to score his fifth T20I half-century. He scored 50 runs from 28 deliveries including three fours and three sixes. His innings in the middle overs boosted Bangladesh’s scoring rate and helped them finish big and post a total of 181/7. This is also Bangladesh’s highest total in T20 World Cup.