It was Bangladesh vs Scotland at Nelson on day 19. It was very important game for Bangladesh as they had a great chance to make it into the quarter finals. They had to win it to play knock out match against England. While Scotland was still searching for first win in world cup cricket. England had lot of hope from their neighbour.
Game 27: Bangladesh vs Scotland
Bangladesh won the toss and Mortaza chose to field first at Nelson. Some assistance was expected for the bowlers from the pitch early on otherwise it was batsman's paradise. Mortaza used experience of his team early on as he started with himself and Shakib. It worked for Mortaza as he got MacLeod in the 3rd over of the innings. Coetzer was in sublime form for Scotland and his shots shown that form. Gardiner was the next man in but he too didn't last for too long. Taskin got him on 19. Scotland were struggling at 38/2 at that stage. It slow abd depressing start from scotland. Another man in form Machan joined coetzer in middle and both of them steadied the innings. Coetzer and Machan played sensible cricket. When Machan joined Coetzer in the middle Scotland was struggling at 38/2 and from that point they brought up Scotland's 50 in 13th over. They carried on from there and brought up the 100 in 22nd over. Coetzer brought up his 50 after team's 100. When that partnership started looking dangerous Sabbir came and picked up Machan. Machan played one straight to the bowler which helped Sabbir to claim his first ODI wicket.
Mommsen was the next man to the crease. Machan along with Coetzer steadied the Scottish innings. So the job of Mommsen was to increase the tempo of runs and he did exactly that. Coetzer was well in and pretty comfortable at the crease. Both Coetzer and Mommsen brought 200 of Scottish innings in 38th over. Soon after 200 Coetzer brought up his 100. It was superb knock by Coetzer. He got starts in previous matches as well but was not able to convert it into three figures. Against Bangladesh he converted that start into 100. Soon Coetzer and Mommsen brought up 100 run partnership after that. It was time to launch themselves for both of these. 200 came up in 38th over and 250 was up in 42nd over. 300 was definitely on cards but Mommsen got out on 39 off just 38 balls. He played the great support to Coetzer. Coetzer brought up his 150 in 129 deliveries. He took just 26 deliveries to reach from 100 to 150. He showed his class in that innings but he didn't last long after that. He got out on 156 and at that time Scotland's total was 269. 269/5.
After that cameos from Berrington and Cross took their team past 300 in 48th over. Scotland ended up at 318/8 from their 50 overs. It was a great total on the board. It was amazing to watch that how Coetzer build that innings around. He was like a rock on one end while everyone else played their role well on the other end. Taskin was the pick of the bowlers for Bangladesh as he picked up three wickets from his seven overs. Bangladesh had a tough task ahead of them. Tamim Iqbal and Soumya Sarkar begun the innings for Bangladesh. Bangladesh needed its top order to fire to chase such a big total. I guess Davey had some other plans. He picked up Soumya in 2nd over and Bangladesh again was off to an awful start. Mahmudullah joined Tamim in the middle after that. Tamim had been out of through put the world cup and Bangladesh needed him to fire. Moreover they needed to score quickly otherwise required rate would have gone out of reach. So there was not much time for Tamim.
Tamim and Mahmudullah didn't waste time at all. Both of them started playing freely. Bangladesh's 50 was up off just 49 balls. Bangladesh was out there to win. 50 run partnership was made off just 39 balls, they took 16.5 overs to bring up Bangladesh's 100. Tamim Iqbal brought up his 50 off just 53 balls and 100 runs were added by both of them in 96 balls. Tamim and Mahmudullah build the foundation of Bangladesh's chase. Mahmudullah reached to his half century off just 50 balls. Bangladesh were cruising towards the total but Wardlaw knocked Mahmudullah on 144. Mahmudullah got out after making run a ball 62. Mushfiqur Rahim was the next man in. Rahim and Tamim never allowed Scottish bowlers to take over after Mahmudullah's wicket. 200 of Bangladeshi innings came up in 32nd over and staright away after that Tamim got out. Tamim made 95 runs off 100 balls. He played this knock when it mattered the most.
Shakib and Rahim were in the middle then. Both of these are the backbone of Bangladesh's batting. They didn't disappoint as they played upto their potential. They carried on really well. Rahim brought up his 50 off just 38 balls. 250 of the Bangladeshi innings came up in the 40th over but just before that Rahim got out to Evans on 60. After that Sabbir joined Shakib and both of them carried on at the same rate. 50 of the partnership came up between them off just 45 balls. Sabbir was the aggressor in that partnership. 300 came up in the 46th over and Bangladesh won the match by 5 wickets in 49th over. When you are chasing such a big total your big names need to fire. Tamim, Rahim and Shakib rose to the occasion in that match for Bangladesh. Bangladesh never looked back in their chase. Bangladeshi batsmen never allowed required to rise which is key to chase 300+ totals. Only positive for Scotland was Coetzer's knock in that match as none of their bowlers were able to stop Bangladeshi batsmen.
It was a clash of minnows on day 19 but it was and important one. Moreover we witnessed some quality cricket from both the sides. Now it is going to be a knock out match between Bangladesh and England. The winner of England-Bangladesh tie will qualify for the quarter finals. Day 20 features the tie between India and West Indies.
#CWC15 day 20
#CWC15 day 20
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