Bangladesh(BAN) could qualify even if they lose, but one more point will assure them of the Super Eight spot. Bangladesh (BAN) will square off against Nepal (NEP) in Match 37 of the T20 World Cup 2024, on June 17, at the Arnos Vale Ground in Kingstown. In an unusually unpredictable World Cup thus far, Group D has been an exception with results largely going to pre-tournament expectations.
It was always going to be a dash between Bangladesh and Sri Lanka for the second qualification spot, and the former’s win in the encounter between the two sides hastened the end for the 2014 champions. If anything, the Netherlands have given a better account of themselves than the Lankans. Bangladesh come into their final league game with qualification almost a certainty, thanks to their superior net run rate in comparison to the Dutch.
BAN vs NEP Previous performances
Bangladesh are determined to secure a spot in the Super Eight, having achieved two wins and one loss so far. The team is looking to showcase their finest skills against Nepal with an opportunity for an intense contest. Nepal could potentially prove to be their biggest hurdle. As such, a win isn’t mandatory to progress unless the defeat is of gargantuan proportions but winning is a habit that no team would want to forego, especially before the business end of the tournament.
Bangladesh have had a strong campaign so far and if not for their implosion at the back end against South Africa, the Asian side would have been unbeaten at this point. The surfaces in the tournament have been a perfect fit for Bangladesh’s bowling unit who have strangled opponents to perfection. The batting, though, has room for improvement, and it is an area they’d love to address.
Meanwhile, Nepal are eager to bounce back from their narrow loss to South Africa and will be led by Captain Rohit Paudel, who will be optimistic about the team’s performance. In their previous match, wicket-keeper Asif Sheikh stood out for Nepal, scoring an impressive 42 runs off 49 balls, with support from Anil Sah, who contributed 27 runs off 24 balls as they fell short of one run.
Meanwhile, Nepal had their own heartbreak against South Africa, arguably a bigger one than Bangladesh’s, given the nature of the game and the equation needed at the end. The result notwithstanding, the performance was evidence of Nepal’s capabilities at the highest level and they’d be keen to upset Bangladesh’s apple cart before bowing out of the tournament. With a good mix of youth and experience, Nepal’s unit is tailor-made for T20 cricket, except that they haven’t had the necessary exposure, particularly against high-speed bowling attacks.
On paper, Bangladesh are overwhelming favourites but Nepal carry a threat that their opponents would be aware of.
BAN vs NEP Head to Head
The two teams have only faced each other once, back in the 2014 T20 World Cup, a game that Bangladesh won by eight wickets. Sompal Kami is the only survivor from the Nepal side.
| Matches Played | 01 |
| Won by Bangladesh | 01 |
| Won by Nepal | 00 |
| No Result | 00 |
BAN vs NEP Pitch Report
The Arnos Vale Ground in Kingstown is a renowned pitch in West Indies which is known for favoring bowlers over batters. The surface of the pitch is spinner-friendly, indicating that there will be a considerable amount of turn. As a result, wickets tend to fall at regular intervals at the venue. Additionally, the weather forecast suggests a slight chance of rain as the match gets underway.
Arnos Vale became a spin haven in the Nepal-South Africa match, producing 12 wickets for the spinners. There’s light rain forecast for Sunday evening in the area and in case there is a washout, Bangladesh will be through to the Super Eight.
The two games threw up contrasting behaviors of the pitches. While Bangladesh’s game against Netherlands had a decent batting surface with variable bounce, Nepal’s clash against South Africa saw a tacky surface, albeit with better conditions as the game progressed. Another two-paced surface is likely with uneven bounce expected to be a factor.
BAN vs NEP Big Picture Bangladesh on the cusp of Super Eight
Bangladesh’s Super Eight fate in the T20 World Cup 2024 is in their own hands as one more win is all they need to go through.
The only way Bangladesh can miss out is if they lose big against Nepal, and Netherlands beat Sri Lanka by a big enough margin with that game scheduled an hour after Bangladesh vs Nepal. Bangladesh will fancy sailing through as they have looked like the second-best team in Group D so far. They know they can’t take Nepal lightly, more so after their close game against South Africa.
But Bangladesh are high on confidence, a side on the mend that, only recently, went down in a T20I series against USA. Their top-order batting remains a concern but their middle-order batters and bowlers have carried them to this promising position.
Leg spinner Rishad Hossain is the surprise package, with his seven wickets. He has often picked the crucial scalps and his skillful bowling has lifted Bangladesh’s morale. The pace trio of Taskin Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman and Tanzim Hasan have provided a strong backbone, and their relentless accuracy this tournament has often brought about well-timed breakthroughs.
Nepal are still smarting from their one-run loss against South Africa. They were left wondering how they messed up a chase where they were ahead at one point. Gulshan Jha’s run out on the last ball left their legion of fans heartbroken, but their overall performance against one of the tournament’s top teams gives them confidence for the next challenge. Kushal Bhurtel and Dipendra Singh Airee shared seven wickets against South Africa at the same ground, while Aasif Sheikh comes in fresh off a stylish 42. Their big hitters are an X-Factor too.
Nepal have enough firepower to win, but Bangladesh, at this tournament, have shown an appetite for staying in the fight for longer periods. Key battles will be fought between their middle-order and Nepal’s spinners, particularly how they play Sandeep Lamichhane. Bangladesh’s fast bowlers, meanwhile, will look to exploit any lack of experience among the Nepal batters.
With Nepal wanting to finish the tournament with one win and Bangladesh equally motivated to take two points, expect another tight game in a T20 World Cup full of thrillers.
BAN vs NEP In the spotlight: Tanzid Hasan and Aasif Sheikh
Tanzid Hasan hasn’t done anything special yet in the T20 World Cup but the left-hand opener played an attractive innings against Netherlands. His glut of powerplay boundaries gave Bangladesh their best start in the first six, since arriving in North America four weeks ago. Tanzid is strong on both sides of the pitch and shows presence of mind whenever the bowlers ask him tough questions. It is now a matter of staying long enough for a big score.
Aasif Sheikh was better known as the Nepal wicketkeeper who won the ICC Spirit of Cricket Award in 2022 for not running out the stumbling Andy McBrine. Those watching him bat for the first time against South Africa saw the other side of Sheikh: an attractive opener who can wow with his flicks. Sheikh’s off side strokeplay also looked promising. After making 42 against South Africa’s attack, he will aim to get even better.
BAN vs NEP Vital Stats that matters
- Mustafizur Rahman boasts the lowest economy rate (minimum three overs), of 2.25 per over, among bowlers in the last four overs at this T20 World Cup
- Aasif Sheikh’s 42 against South Africa in their previous match is Nepal’s highest score against a Full Member side.
- Shakib Al Hasan, Mahmudullah and Sompal Kami are the only survivors from the Bangladesh vs Nepal match in 2014 – their only previous encounter – when they faced off at that year’s T20 World Cup.
- Since WC 2022, Taskin Ahmed has played 18 games and hasn’t gone wicketless in any of them
BAN vs NEP Probable Playing XIs
Bangladesh (BAN):
Tanzid Hasan, Najmul Hossain Shanto (c), Litton Das (wk.), Towhid Hridoy, Shakib Al Hasan, Mahmudullah, Jaker Ali, Rishad Hossain, Taskin Ahmed, Tanzim Hasan Sakib, Mustafizur Rahman
Nepal (NEP):
Kushal Bhurtel, Aasif Sheikh (wk.), Anil Sah, Rohit Paudel (c), Kushal Malla, Dipendra Singh Airee, Gulsan Jha, Sompal Kami, Karan KC, Abinash Bohara, Sagar Dhakal
BAN vs NEP Fantasy XI : Najmul Hossain Shanto (c), Litton Das (wk.), Towhid Hridoy, Shakib Al Hasan, Mahmudullah, Tanzim Hasan Sakib, Mustafizur Rahman, Kushal Bhurtel, Dipendra Singh Airee, Gulsan Jha, Aasif Sheikh (wk.)
BAN vs NEP Probable Best Players of the Match
Probable Best Batter of the Match:
Towhid Hridoy has been hitting his best form lately. He played a critical knock in Bangladesh’s tricky chase against South Africa. The right-handed batter scored 37 runs off 34 balls as the Tigers fell short by four runs. He built small partnerships with other batters before the batting unit was bundled out. He would like to replicate the same essence against Nepal.
Probable Best Bowler of the Match:
Rishad Hossain has been less economical but can generate results for Bangladesh as evident in the game against Netherlands. A novice at the international stage, the right-arm spinner did the trick for the Tigers with three wickets against the Dutch. He will be the key bowler as he can fetch some bounce out of the surface.
BAN vs NEP Match Prediction
Scenario 1
Bangladesh win the toss and opt to bowl first
PP score: 25-35
Nepal – 100-110
Bangladesh win the match
Scenario 2
Nepal win the toss and opt to bowl first
PP score: 35-45
Bangladesh: 135-145
Bangladesh win the match