On Shakib Al Hasan’s record-breaking night, Scotland all-rounder Chris Greaves put in a brilliant all-round performance to help Scotland beat Bangladesh by six runs in their match in the preliminary round of the World Cup in Oman on Sunday.
Bangladesh had reduced Scotland to 53-6 at one point, but a brilliant cameo of 45 off 28 deliveries from Chris Greaves helped Scotland finish on 140-9.
And in reply, Bangladesh struggled from the very start and could only manage 134-6.
After Mahmudullah Riyad opted to field first, Bangladesh had a great start as Mohammad Saifuddin dismissed Kyle Coetzer in the third over.
A 40-run stand between George Munsey and Matthew Cross brought the Scotts back, but Shak Mahedi Hasan removed them both in the same over.
Shakib then struck twice in an over to remove Richie Berrington and Michael Leask, which made him the highest wicket-taker in Twenty20 internationals history with 108 wickets.
Mahedi then picked up his third when he rattled Calum MacLeod’s stumps, which reduced Scotland to 53-6.
But from there on, Greaves moved up to fourth gear as he made sure Scotland went past 130 getting out in the final over. Bangladesh conceded 53 runs in the last five overs, allowing Scotland to reach 140-9.
In reply, Bangladesh went off to a very shaky strike as they lost both their openers, Soumya Sarkar (5) and Liton Das (5), within the fourth over and could only manage 25 in the powerplay.
Shakib and Mushfiqur Rahim then put together a 47-run stand off 46 deliveries as both of them struggled to find runs.
Greaves relieved Shakib (28) off his misery when he hit a long hop to long on, where MacLeod took a great catch to send him back. Mushfiq (38) was Greaves’ next victim as he tried to scoop, but only saw his stumps rattled to return.
Mahmudullah (23) struggled to kickstart his innings, leading to Bangladesh needing 49 off the last four overs.
Afif (18) was then out of Mark Watt and Bangladesh’s last hopes were lost when Mahmudullah was dismissed in the 19th over.
