Bangladesh edged a dramatic game against Zimbabwe at the T20 World Cup by three runs following a remarkable final over which included two wickets and the last ball being bowled twice.
Zimbabwe needed five from the final delivery, bowled by Mossadek Hossain, to overhaul Bangladesh’s total of 150-7 in Brisbane but Blessing Muzarabani failed to connect with the ball and was stumped by Tigers wicketkeeper Nurul Hasan.
However, as Bangladesh celebrated and players left the field, the TV umpire adjudged that Nurul had collected the ball in front of the stumps, not behind, so the ball was re-bowled with Zimbabwe having a free hit.
With just four needed this time Muzarabani once again swished at fresh air, leaving Bangladesh to celebrate their second win of the Super 12s, having beaten Netherlands and then lost to South Africa in their previous games.
Zimbabwe’s defeat was their first of this stage, with the African team seeing their game with South Africa abandoned before they stunned Pakistan by one run in a last-ball thriller.
Bangladesh edge to victory after gripping finale
Zimbabwe required 16 runs from the last over against Bangladesh and were up against it when Brad Evans (2) holed out to deep midwicket second ball – but the requirement was then cut to five off two after four leg byes and a Richard Ngarava six over deep fine leg.
Ngarava was stumped fifth delivery before the staggering finish.
Najmul Hossain Shanto (71 off 55 balls) had underpinned Bangladesh’s total, while Sean Williams (64) top-scored for Zimbabwe after they had stumbled to 69-5 in 11.2 overs.
Bangladesh seamer Taskin Ahmed took 3-19, including Zimbabwe openers Wesley Mahdevere (4) and Craig Ervine (8) for single figures.
Zimbabwe will now likely have to beat Netherlands and India to make the semi-finals, while Bangladesh will probably have to defeat both India and Pakistan to make the last four.
Williams: It was an emotional rollercoaster
Zimbabwe batter Williams said after the remarkable conclusion to the game against Bangladesh: “It was extremely weird. Obviously I’ve never experienced something like that in a cricket match before.
“It just goes to show in a T20 game there’s always a little bit of hope – anything can happen.
“The first time I realised that there was a no-ball was actually when we were walking out to shake the umpire’s hands. They told us to stop and the replay then came on the big screen.
“It’s an emotional rollercoaster throughout from the first ball to the last ball. A lot happens and you know there’s a lot of ups and downs and happiness and sadness throughout all of that.
“Obviously we’re unhappy but it’s we’ve got to take the positives from today into tomorrow.”
What’s next?
Bangladesh and Zimbabwe both return to action in Adelaide on Wednesday. Zimbabwe are first up against Netherlands (4am UK time), before Bangladesh play India (8am UK time).