After getting bowled out for a below-par 147 while chasing 197, a disappointed Najmul Hossain Shanto said that Bangladesh batters did not look to attack and India registered a 50-run beating in the Super 8 round of T20 World Cup 2024. Hardik Pandya came in to bat at 164 for 5 and took a 27 ball fifty to take India to a Respectable score of 196 for 5 at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium North Sound, Antigua. And, Bangladesh were never in the chase and could muster only 146 for 8, another Group 1 downfall and almost knocking on the door of elimination.
India’s Clinical Show Hands Bangladesh a Heavy Defeat as Shanto Condemns Lack of Intent in Top-Order Batting
Hardik then came up with a fifty and a knockout knock at the top-order in the form of dismissing Litton Das and then spinner Kuldeep Yadav made a quick work of Bangladesh by taking three wickets in quick succession. Karwan Afridi also dismissed Tanzid Hasan for lbw just when he was looking risky at 29 and then got rid of Towhid Hridoy for a 4-ball duck lbw, before accounting for Shakib and returning figures of 3 for 19. Shanto (40) looked good to take his side close but once Bumrah dismissed him India had the match in the bag as they are the only team yet to lose in this tournament.
India, the world champions in this format, again posted a total which always looked like it would be way too much for Bangladesh to chase in T20s. Speaking about the game, Shanto said, “We set a target of 160-170, that would have been ideal for us, but the way they batted, I must say credit goes to the players adjourning to batting side. “The players are familiar with this type of weather condition and the wind, perhaps it was not a problem to us, “We had many batting options today but lacked the desired intent.”
Bangladesh’s Chase Falters Despite Shanto’s 40 as Wickets Tumble Around Him in India Thrashing
The Tigers started the chase confidently as a new record was in sight. Tanzid Hasan and Litton Das the openers played a aggressive cricket while facing the Indian even though they were seemed to be struggling they played some good shots and found the boundary regularly. Litton Das especially looked in good form, but his early revelation of wickets affected the Bangladeshi side. Tanzid, who was rather conservative in the beginning, was dismissed for 29 bundling it but could not build up from that effort.
Shanto then essayed a responsible knock to stabilise the innings through the mid-overs but Bangladesh’s chase took a hit when wickets tumbled from the other end. Towhid Hridoy got out for a duck and Shakib Al Hasan also could not perform well which were setbacks for their team. Shanto, however, was not willing to let the game die, he put up a good fight compiling 40 runs before being dismissed having set some boundaries before he got dismissed on the creep put Bangladesh into a very vulnerable position again.
Bangladesh’s Late Charge Fizzles Out as Pressure Mounts, Wickets Fall Amidst Required Run-Rate Increase
The last ten overs involved some aggressive batting by two players, Rishad Hossain and Mahmudullah who tried to chase the target steadily by using boundaries and sixes. Still, the required run rate began increasing constantly and Bangladesh failed to handle this pressure; which resulted into a series of deserting of wickets.
Reflecting on the individual performances, Shanto noted, “I try to contribute in every match, but I should have tried to finish this. Tanzim Sakib, in this tournament, has done a great job, and I should mention Rishad. We have been looking for a legspinner for a while, and it’s good to have him,”