Tamim Iqbal kept his promise and scored a century to set up a crushing 54-run win for Bangladesh in the ICC World Twenty20 qualifier against Oman at Dharamsala on Sunday.
The win in the rain-interrupted match at Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association stadium put Bangladesh predictably in the main draw of the tournament, with five points from three qualifiers.
Tamim set the tune for Bangladesh with maiden Twenty20 international century for the country, taking
the side to 180-2, a score that was proved too much for Oman.
The target was revised at least twice, which made the things only tougher for Oman, who had been playing a Test playing country for the first time.
They reached 40-2 when rain first stopped the play and lost two quick wickets in the space of five balls after their target was revised to 152 in 16 overs.
They were left stranded at 45-4 when rain stopped the play for the second time before their target was revised once again to 120 in 12 overs.
The cat and mouse game ended finally with Oman at 65-9.
Sakib al Hasan claimed his career best 4-15 to take some lights towards him in a game that will be otherwise remembered for Tamim Iqbal’s prolific effort.
Tamim slammed 103 off 63 balls to leave Oman in awe as Bangladesh recovered from a slow start to post the kind of total that they were looking for at the end of their stipulated overs.
Before the tournament the left-hander promised coach Chandika Hathurusinghe that he would score a century in this tournament, a feat that had earlier eluded Bangladesh.
Tamim could not find a better opportunity to keep his word after a spirited show of Oman’s slow bowler kept Bangladesh’s score limited to 29 runs in the first six overs of batting powerplay.
Tamim said they wanted at least few more runs during powerplay.
‘We did not get to a quick start, they bowled well,’ he said between the innings. ‘I was feeling good after a couple of boundaries. We wanted 35-40 in the powerplay, and our plan is one of the top thee to bat long.’
Tamim’s opening partner Soumya Sarkar clearly struggled to time his shots against Omani slow bowlers and consumed 22 balls to get 12 runs.
Left-arm spinner Ajay Lalcheta bowled Soumya to end his 42-run first wicket partnership with Tamim, a wicket that came as a blessing in disguise for Bangladesh.
Sabbir Rahman joined Tamim to slowly raise the tempo as Bangladesh crossed 100-run mark in little less than 13 overs. Oman bowlers looked clueless at times as some of their balls were nestled in the stands by two Bangladeshi batters.
Sabbir and Tamim shared 97 runs off just 55 balls to give the innings some much needed impetus.
Khawar Ali bowled Sabbir round the legs for 44 off 26 balls but Tamim, who scored 130 runs in the previous two matches, continued in the same vein to complete his century off 60 balls.
Sakib was unbeaten on 17 off nine balls as Bangladesh added 151 runs in the last 14 overs.
Skipper Mashrafee bin Murtaza kept some praise reserved for coach Hathurusinghe for giving them the confidence.
‘We played fearless cricket, that was a big decision but our coach has been giving us confidence,’ said Mashrafee. ‘If you want to perform, you have to play fearless cricket.’
Bangladesh will take on Pakistan in their first game in the next phase on March 16 in Kolkata.
-With New Age input
