DHAKA, Oct 17, 2021 (BSS) - Bangladesh came up with a clueless

performance to suffer a humiliating 6-run defeat to Scotland in their
first game of the Twenty20 World Cup at the Al Amerat Cricket Ground
in Muscat, Oman today.

  Scotland put up a moderate 140-9 but Bangladesh who won their maiden
T20 series against Australia and New Zealand back at home in slow and
low track, found them in wanting in true wicket as they were
restricted to 134-7.

  The Tigers now need to win both of the matches against Oman and
Papua New Guinea in Group B, considered as qualifying round to move to
the Super 12s.

   Scotland's victory was particularly fascinating as they recovered
for 53-6 to make a great start to the tournament. By doing so, they
also kept 100 percent win record against Bangladesh as they won both
of the matches played between the two teams in this format. Scotland
earlier in 2012 beat Bangladesh by 34 runs.

  Bangladesh struggled right from the start of their chase when Soumya
Sarkar tried to be bit aggressive but ended up offering easy catch at
deep midwicket to be out for 5. Another opener Liton Das followed the
suit, being out on 5, leaving Bangladesh at 18-2 in fourth over.

  Their dismissals brought Bangladesh's two best batters-Mushfiqur
Rahim and Shakib Al Hasan in the crease. As the seamers found movement
from the pitch, they had to be alert but they also dug the graveyards
by being too slow.

  However Shakib couldn't amend for the slow start as he was removed
on 20 after playing 28 balls.

  Mushfiqur who looked to accelerate the scoreboard after a slow start
perished to a needless scoop shot with Bangladesh at 74-4 in 13.1
overs. Mushfiqur hit one four and two sixes in his 36 off 34.

  At this point, Bangladesh didn't look like a side to win the game
even though required 67 off 41 balls was not a big deal in T20
cricket. But skipper Mahmudullah Riyad lacked firepower to close out
the game. He was dismissed in the penultimate over after scoring 23
off 22 and with his dismissal, Bangladesh's chance to win the match
came to an end.

   Young Mahedi Hasan however blasted 13 off 5 in the last over only
to reduce the margin.

  Mahedi Hasan earlier claimed his career-best 3-19 while Shakib Al
Hasan grabbed 2-17 with his left-arm spin to help Bangladesh limit
Scotland to 140-9. Fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman also took two wickets
but he was bit expensive, giving 32 runs in his four overs.

   After Bangladesh chose to bowl first, the spinners justified the
decision, reducing Scotland to 53-6, which raised a prospect to bowl
them out below 100.

  But that was not to be as Chris Greaves, who also picked up 2-19
that included prized scalps of Shakib and Mushfique hammered a 28
ball-45 to help the side bounce back strongly. His solo show helped
Scotland amass 53 runs in the last five overs and gave the bowlers
something to defend. Scotland last five overs carnage indeed made the
eventual difference.

  Mohammad Saifuddin though struck in his first over, removing
Scottish captain Kyle Coetzer for duck, it was the spinners who helped
Bangladesh ruled the game in emphatic way from the first part of
Scotland's innings.

  Mahedi gave the crucial breakthrough, taking out dangerman George
Munsey who came to the match with a career strike rate of 153. He
showed the glimpse of his power-hitting capability in his 23 ball-29
that included two fours and as many sixes.

  However after Mahedi's strike, Shakib joined the party to slice the
Scottish middle order, dismissing veteran Richie Berrington and
Michael Leask. Mahedi also played his part well but Greaves spoiled
Bangladesh's party, hitting four fours and two sixes in his 28
ball-45.

  Mustafizur though took him out in the last over, he ensured that his
side finished on high after such a calamitous start.