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Match Preview – Bangladesh vs P.N.G., ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2021/22, 9th Match, First Round Group B

Hamza Hameed October 20, 2021

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Preview

Inexperienced PNG will look to capitalise on Bangladesh’s lack of run-scoring in the powerplay and at the death

Big Picture

The last time the T20 World Cup qualifiers round needed to be settled on the last day, one of the greatest chases in the format took place in Sylhet. Netherlands hunted down 190 in 13.5 overs against Ireland to vault over from No. 3 to No. 1 in the group. It was a game that, many believe, helped change the perception of T20s.

Down to the first round of matches this time around, there are a lot of equations facing all four teams in Group B on Thursday. Even winless Papua New Guinea have a chance at a place in the Super 12s. If Sylhet in 2014 is anything to go by, expect fireworks in Muscat. Bangladesh remain in a must-win situation as they take on PNG in the afternoon game at the Al Amerat Ground. The proceedings of this game will have a knock-on effect in the evening match between Oman and Scotland.

Bangladesh, though, have recovered from the Scotland shock by beating Oman. It was a hard-fought win which kept on bringing up some of their gaps in the system, but it has served its purpose. Shakib Al Hasan brought out his trademark Player-of-the-Match-winning performance, scoring 42 and taking three wickets. Mohammad Naim batted well with Shakib, getting 64, while offspinner Mahedi Hasan and seamer Mohammad Saifuddin stifled Oman at crucial stages. Mustafizur Rahman, despite a wayward first spell, finished with a four-wicket haul too.

Bangladesh happily ticked some of the boxes that were missing against Scotland, but there still remains problems. Their powerplay scoring remains low, which is mostly due to Liton Das’ indifferent form. They are also struggling with the bat at the death, a period in which Mahmudullah, Nurul Hasan and Afif Hossain have done well in the recent past.

And so PNG will look to capitalise on all of these and cause an upset. They are short on confidence as well as on experience, but they have the makings of a potentially exciting T20 side in the near future. Assad Vala and Charles Amini batted well against Oman in their first game, while Kabua Morea and Norman Vanua performed against Scotland. But they need a team effort, with a few more contributors.