Cricket

Bangladesh stands on the brink of securing a spot in the Super Eight of the T20 World Cup 2024. A victory over Nepal will seal their qualification, while a loss could only jeopardize their chances if Netherlands defeats Sri Lanka by a significant margin.Bangladesh has emerged as the second-best team in Group D, despite concerns about their top-order batting. Their middle-order batters and bowlers have stepped up, with legspinner Rishad Hossain surprising with his seven wickets. The pace trio of Taskin Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman, and Tanzim Hasan have provided a solid backbone.Nepal, on the other hand, is still reeling from their heartbreaking one-run loss to South Africa. They will be eager to end the tournament on a high note, but Bangladesh's recent form suggests they will face a tough challenge.Key battles will unfold between Bangladesh's middle-order and Nepal's spinners, particularly Sandeep Lamichhane. Bangladesh's fast bowlers will aim to exploit any inexperience among the Nepal batters.Tanzim Hasan and Aasif Sheikh are players to watch. Hasan has shown promise as an opener, while Sheikh impressed with his batting against South Africa.Bangladesh may consider adding left-arm spinner Tanvir Islam or offspin-bowling allrounder Mahedi Hasan to their lineup, given the spin-friendly conditions at Arnos Vale. Nepal could also opt for more bowling options with Lalit Rajbanshi and Sagar Dhakal.Mustafizur Rahman has the lowest economy rate among bowlers in the last four overs at this T20 World Cup, while Aasif Sheikh's 42 against South Africa is Nepal's highest score against a Full Member side.Bangladesh and Nepal have only faced off once before in a T20 World Cup match, in 2014. Shakib Al Hasan, Mahmudullah, and Sompal Kami are the only survivors from that encounter.

Bangladesh's Rishad Hossain struck a crucial blow in the third and final Twenty20 against Sri Lanka, dismissing Kamindu Mendis for 14 runs. The wicket came in the eighth over, with Mendis attempting an ambitious over-the-top shot that was caught by long off.Earlier, Sri Lanka's Kusal Mendis had provided some momentum with a six off Hossain in the seventh over. However, Hossain's timely wicket prevented a further surge in the Lankan innings.Mahedi Hasan also played a key role for Bangladesh, bowling a tidy over in the sixth over, conceding just three runs. Hasan's efforts helped restrict Sri Lanka to a modest total in the Powerplay.Sri Lanka's innings got off to a shaky start, with Taskin Ahmed dismissing Dhananjaya de Silva for 10 runs in the third over. Kamindu Mendis and Kusal Mendis then steadied the ship with a 30-run partnership, but Hossain's wicket broke the momentum.Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto won the toss and elected to bowl first, hoping to exploit the conditions. Sri Lanka made three changes to their lineup, bringing in Dhanajaya de Silva, Nuwan Thushara, and Wanindu Hasaranga.Bangladesh fielded an unchanged squad, looking to secure a series victory after winning the first two matches. The third and final T20 will determine the series winner.