Kiwis crumble

Published : Apr 19, 2014 00:00 IST

Pakistan beat Bangladesh thanks to a fine hundred from Ahmed Shehzad, the first from his country to do so in T20 internationals.-AP
Pakistan beat Bangladesh thanks to a fine hundred from Ahmed Shehzad, the first from his country to do so in T20 internationals.-AP
lightbox-info

Pakistan beat Bangladesh thanks to a fine hundred from Ahmed Shehzad, the first from his country to do so in T20 internationals.-AP

New Zealand had bowled well and was cock-a-hoop to have restricted Sri Lanka to 119. But what unfolded in the second half was drama beyond the Kiwis’ worst nightmares. By Shreedutta Chidananda.

One semi-finalist had been decided from each of the groups with the other two slots up for grabs. Sri Lanka and New Zealand met in Chittagong in a virtual quarterfinal, with the former winning emphatically to advance from Group 1. New Zealand had bowled well and was cock-a-hoop to have restricted Sri Lanka to 119. But what unfolded in the second half was drama beyond the Kiwis’ worst nightmares. Rangana Herath, playing his first game of the tournament after good sense finally prevailed, sent down 3.3 overs in which he finished with figures of five for three. New Zealand collapsed to 60 all out, absolutely clueless in the face of his left-arm spin.

The group’s other game was only academic but its result would be spectacular. England lost in embarrassing fashion to the Netherlands, crumbling for 88 in a chase of 134. It was a shambolic display from England, already out of the tournament, with not a single attempt made to lift the run rate or not a single shot played in desperation. It was as if defeat to the Netherlands was acceptable. This was not incompetence; this was indifference. And it is a lot worse. Group II, meanwhile, boiled down to the game between West Indies and Pakistan. Fielding first, the latter had been in control of the game for 15 overs, but some brilliant hitting from Darren Sammy and Dwayne Bravo helped West Indies double its total in the last five. In pursuit of 167, Pakistan then slipped to 82 all out as Samuel Badree and Sunil Narine ran riot.

Earlier, Pakistan had beaten Bangladesh thanks to a fine hundred from Ahmed Shehzad, the first from his country to do so in T20 internationals. Australia, meanwhile, having been eliminated already, sank to an embarrassing 73-run defeat to India. Chasing 160, Australia was rolled over for 86, in a batting performance that captain George Bailey called the worst under his leadership.

Bailey’s lot salvaged some pride, however, with a seven-wicket win over Bangladesh. Shakib Al Hasan sparkled with a 66 as the home nation finally got at least an innings to cheer about. But Aaron Finch made 71 as the game was won with plenty to spare.

THE SCORES

Group 1: Netherlands 133 for five in 20 overs (Wesley Barresi 48, Stephan Myburgh 39; Stuart Broad three for 24) beat England 88 in 17.4 overs (Mudassar Bukhari three for 12).

Sri Lanka 119 in 19.2 overs (Mahela Jayawardene 25; Trent Boult three for 20) beat New Zealand 60 in 15.3 overs (Kane Williamson 42; Rangana Herath five for three).

Group 2: Pakistan 190 for five in 20 overs (Ahmed Shehzad 111 not out, Shoaib Malik 26) beat Bangladesh 140 for seven in 20 overs (Shakib Al Hasan 38; Umar Gul three for 30).

India 159 for seven in 20 overs (Yuvraj Singh 60) beat Australia 86 in 20 overs (R. Ashwin four for 11).

Bangladesh 153 for five in 20 overs (Shakib Al Hasan 66, Mushfiqur Rahim 47) lost to Australia 158 for three in 17.3 overs (Aaron Finch 71, David Warner 48).

West Indies 166 for six in 20 overs (Dwayne Bravo 46, Darren Sammy 42, Lendl Simmons 31) beat Pakistan 82 in 17.5 overs (Samuel Badree three for 10, Sunil Narine three for 16).

More stories from this issue

Sign in to unlock all user benefits
  • Get notified on top games and events
  • Save stories to read later
  • Access to comment on every story
  • Sign up / manage to our newsletters with a single click
  • Get notified by email for early bird access to discounts & offers to our products
Sign in

Comments

Comments have to be in English, and in full sentences. They cannot be abusive or personal. Please abide to our community guidelines for posting your comment