Bangladesh rout Nepal to go ahead in Group ‘A’

CHITTAGONG: Bangladesh achieved an easy win defeating Nepal by eight wickets in their World Twenty20 Cup First Round Group ‘A’ match here at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium on Tuesday.

Chasing 127, Bangladesh easily achieved the winning target in 15.3 overs losing only two wickets.

Now, Bangladesh with four points in two straight wins are leading the Group ‘A’ and looking for qualifying for joining the Second Round (Super Ten Series) of the tournament.

They have to play one match more, scheduled to be held on Thursday against Hong Kong at the same venue.

Opener Amanul Haque top scored with 42, made from 33 balls with five fours and two sixes.

He was followed by veteran batsman Shakib Al Hasan, who made an unbeaten 37 off just 18 balls, hitting four sixes and a four.

He added 53 for an unbeaten third wicket partnership with Shabbir Rehman (21 not out)

Tamim Iqbal also scored 30 off 22 balls with two fours and a six, making 63 with Amanul for the opening wicket stand.

Earlier, Nepal were restricted to 126 for five in the 20 overs after being sent into bat by Bangladesh captain Mushfiqur Rahim, who won the toss.

After losing three wickets for 39 in the seventh over, captain Paras Khadka and Sharad Vesawkar set up a big partnership of 85 runs for the fourth wicket but they could not hit Bangladeshi bowlers freely.

Both batsmen were dismissed in the last over as Khadka was bowled by Mashrafe Mortaza for 41 on the first ball and Vesawkar was run out for 40 off the final ball.

Al-Amin Hossain was the most successful bowler for Bangladesh taking two wickets for 17 runs and was later named the Man-of-the-Match.