Iqbal celebrates after scoring his maiden Twenty20 International century

Image courtesy of: ESPNcricinfo

Bangladesh opening batsman Tamim Iqbal scored his maiden Twenty20 International century to not only crush Oman by 54 runs via the Duckworth-Lewis method, but also lead his side to the main draw of the World Twenty20.

Oman would have been regretting their decision to bowl first as Iqbal demolished their bowling attack right from the get-go.

Iqbal and Soumya Sarkar set a solid foundation with their 42-run partnership before Iqbal and Sabbir Rahman put Bangladesh in command with their 97-run partnership.

Khawar Ali provided the breakthrough Oman so sorely needed as he clean bowled Rahman for 44 off 26 balls, which included five boundaries and a six.

However, Iqbal continued to take the attack to Oman and ended up finishing unbeaten on a career-best 103, which came off 63 deliveries and included 10 boundaries and five sixes.

Thanks to Iqbal’s superb knock, Bangladesh finished on 180/2 off their 20 overs.

Ali and Ajay Lalcheta picked up one wicket apiece.

Chasing 181 to win initially, the heavens parted and halted play on two separate occasions during Oman’s innings. As a result, Oman were set a revised target of 120 off 12 overs to win.

However, with Jatinder Singh and Adnan Ilyas being the only batsmen to reach double figures, Oman got nowhere near their target as they were restricted to 65/9 off their 12 overs.

Shakib Al Hasan was the most successful bowler with four wickets, while Rahman, Taskin Ahmed, Al-Amin Hossain and skipper Mashrafe Mortaza claimed one wicket each.

Oman captain Sultan Ahmed was disappointed to have lost, and said: “Today’s game we tried our best. Tamim’s innings was the difference. We have had a good summer, that’s why we have come to this level.”

Mortaza was thrilled to have advanced to the Super 10 stage of the tournament, and said: “Looking forward to the next big four matches. Thanks to Tamim, last three matches he has been scoring. Can’t make any mistakes in the main draw. We played fearless cricket, that was a big decision but our coach has been giving us confidence. If you want to perform, you have to play fearless cricket.”

Iqbal was named Man of the Match, and said: “Next stage is very important for us. Pakistan game very important. I hope I can continue the form. I just try to be calmer, don’t want to rush the shots. Finally got a hundred, that was due. PSL was very important because I carried the form here after playing against some very good players. If we can play to our potential, anything can happen.”