Bangladesh rout PNG to seal spot in Super 12s

Bangladesh couldn't have asked for a bigger margin of victory on a day when net run rate equation was the main focus. They beat Papua New Guinea by 84 runs, which gave them a 1.733 NRR, making the Oman-Scotland contest that follows a knockout battle.

PNG slipped to 29 for 7, briefly threatening Netherlands' 39 all out as the lowest total in T20 World Cup history. Kiplin Doriga enforced their recovery with his unbeaten 46, as PNG were bowled out for 97 in the final over.

Bangladesh's big score was set up by Mahmudullah's 28-ball 50 and big-hitting from Shakib Al Hasan who made 46 and Mohammad Saifuddin who hammered a six-ball 19.

Shakib bosses with the bat

Bangladesh's need for a good powerplay was finally fulfilled, thanks to big hits from Shakib and Liton Das. They reached 45 for 1 after six overs, their first 40-plus score at that point in eight matches. Liton hit a 23-ball 29, but Shakib continued to run hard, converting several ones into twos. He struck three sixes in his 46 off 37 balls, the last of which was a one-handed straight hit off Assad Vala.

But as he flagged in the Muscat heat, Shakib's innings was cut short by a brilliant Charles Amini, who timed his big dive to perfection at long-on. Ahead of the game, Amini said that he was looking forward to meeting Shakib, and this catch must be a great ice-breaker.

Source: ESPNcricinfo