Tanzim Hasan Sakib delivered a standout performance in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024, where Bangladesh dominated Nepal with a 21-run victory in the 37th match. This emphatic win at the Arnos Vale Ground in Kingstown, St Vincent, not only secured their qualification for the coveted Super 8 stage but also highlighted their strength in the tournament. While the entire Bangladesh team contributed to the win, the Player of the Match performance by young pacer Tanzim Hasan Sakib showcased his burgeoning talent on the world stage.
Shaky Start for Bangladesh: Early Wickets Put Pressure on Middle Order
Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto opted to bat first after losing the toss. However, their batting innings began on a shaky note. Opener Mohammad Naim, known for his explosive starts, was dismissed cheaply by Sandeep Lamichhane (4/17) in the very first over. The experienced Litton Das (7) followed suit soon after, trapped leg before by the wily spinner. At 13/2 within the first 3 overs, Bangladesh found themselves in a spot of bother.
Shakib Al Hasan Provides Anchor, Rishad Hossain Adds Valuable Runs
The crisis situation demanded a composed head, and the onus fell on the veteran all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan. Shakib, known for his ability to play long innings under pressure, steadied the ship with a gritty 17 off 22 deliveries. He played some elegant strokes, including a couple of boundaries through the covers, but scoring opportunities were limited against Nepal’s disciplined bowling attack.
Wicketkeeper-batsman Rishad Hossain (13 off 7) provided some impetus to the innings with a quickfire cameo. He smashed a six over long-on off the bowling of Dipendra Singh Airee (1/22) and played some enterprising shots, injecting much-needed momentum into the innings. However, just as Bangladesh looked to build a partnership, Hossain was caught at deep mid-wicket by Aasif Sheikh, leaving them at a precarious 43/4 in the 9th over.
Lower Order Collapse Restricts Bangladesh to 106: Nepal’s Bowlers Impress
The loss of Hossain triggered a mini-collapse as the lower order failed to capitalize on the platform laid by Shakib and Hossain. Mahmudullah (4), Afif Hossain (0), and Mosaddek Hossain (2) all fell cheaply, succumbing to the variations of the Nepali spinners. The only glimmer of hope came from the tail-enders, with Taskin Ahmed (12) and Mustafizur Rahman (11) chipping in with some valuable runs. However, Bangladesh were eventually bundled out for a below-par 106 runs in 19.3 overs.
Credit to Nepal Bowlers: Lamichhane Spins a Web, Kami Provides Support
Nepal’s bowling attack deserves significant credit for restricting a strong Bangladesh batting line-up to a modest total. Sandeep Lamichhane, the young leg-spinner, was once again the wrecker-in-chief. His guile and control proved too much for the Bangladesh batsmen, as he picked up 4 crucial wickets, including the prized scalp of Shakib. Sompal Kami (2/10) provided excellent support from the other end, bowling with pace and accuracy. Dipendra Singh Airee (1/22) and Gulshan Jha (1/19) also chipped in with wickets, ensuring Bangladesh never got away to a big score.
Nepal’s Chase Falters: Tanzim Hasan’s Magical Spell Wrecks Top Order
Chasing a seemingly attainable target of 107 runs, Nepal started their innings with cautious optimism. Openers Kushal Bhurtel (5) and Aasif Sheikh (9) navigated the initial swing bowling phase cautiously. However, the introduction of Tanzim Hasan in the 4th over proved to be a game-changer.
Tanzim Hasan: The Star is Born – A Spell of Devastating Accuracy
The 22-year-old pacer, playing in only his second World Cup match, displayed nerves of steel and exceptional bowling skills. His opening delivery to Bhurtel swung away viciously, taking the outside edge and flying straight to Litton Das behind the stumps. In his next over, he trapped the experienced Rohit Paudel (3) plumb in front with a sharp incoming delivery. The dismissal of Nepal’s captain sent a wave of panic through their batting line-up.
Wickets Tumble at Regular Intervals: Bangladesh Spinners Join the Party
Tanzim Hasan continued his rampage, dismissing Anil Sah (0) with a peach of a yorker that sent the middle stump flying. The crowd erupted as Bangladesh sensed a major opportunity. The scorecard read a precarious 9/3 within the first 4 overs, completely turning the tide in Bangladesh’s favor.
The spin duo of Shakib Al Hasan (2/9) and Mustafizur Rahman (3/7) then joined the party, exploiting the exposed Nepali batting. Shakib, with his experience, deceived Aarif Sheikh (14) with a slower delivery that turned sharply, resulting in a simple caught and bowled dismissal. Mustafizur, known for his cutters and slower balls, trapped both Sundeep Jora (0) and Gyanendra Malla (1) leg before wicket, leaving Nepal reeling at a dismal 26/5 by the 7th over.
Brief Fightback from Dipendra Singh Airee and Kushal Malla
Amidst the wreckage, a glimmer of hope emerged for Nepal in the form of a gritty partnership between Dipendra Singh Airee (25) and Kushal Malla (27). They displayed tremendous determination, playing sensible cricket and rotating the strike effectively. Airee, known for his classical technique, played some elegant drives through the covers, while Malla, the aggressive southpaw, took the aerial route, smashing a couple of boundaries over long-on. Their 52-run stand for the sixth wicket rekindled Nepal’s hopes of a miraculous comeback.
Bangladesh Tighten Grip: Fall of Wickets Seals Nepal’s Fate
However, the experienced Bangladeshi bowling attack wasn’t done yet. The wily Mahmudullah (0/15) applied pressure with his tight off-spin bowling, restricting the flow of runs. Taskin Ahmed (1/16), with his raw pace, came back into the attack and dismissed the dangerous-looking Malla, caught at deep mid-wicket by Shakib. The dismissal of Malla proved to be the final nail in the coffin for Nepal’s hopes.
The remaining Nepali batsmen succumbed to the pressure, with wickets falling at regular intervals. Sompal Kami (2), Abinash Bohara (0), and Gulshan Jha (0) all departed cheaply, as Bangladesh tightened their grip on the match. Eventually, Nepal were bundled out for a meager 85 runs in 19.2 overs, falling short by a significant margin of 21 runs.
Tanzim Hasan Deservedly Declared Player of the Match
For his exceptional bowling performance, Tanzim Hasan was rightfully adjudged the Player of the Match. His figures of 4 wickets for just 7 runs were instrumental in restricting Nepal to a low total. His fiery spell in the powerplay overs completely dismantled the Nepali batting line-up and laid the foundation for Bangladesh’s convincing victory. With his raw pace, accuracy, and ability to swing the new ball, Tanzim has announced himself as a future star for Bangladesh cricket.
