Scotland have pulled off a shock six-run win over Bangladesh at the Twenty20 World Cup in Muscat after Chris Greaves’ brilliant all-round performance.
A brilliant all-round performance by Chris Greaves has inspired Scotland’s shock six-run win over Bangladesh in their Twenty20 World Cup clash in Muscat, Oman.
In only his second T20 international, 31-year-old Greaves struck a defiant 45 to help lift Scotland from 6-53 to a competitive 9-140 after Bangladesh won the toss.
He then claimed 2-19 with his leg spin to help restrict heavy favourites Bangladesh to 7-134 in a nailbiting contest.
“We were in a tough situation obviously,” Greaves told Sky Sports.
“It was a just (a case of) re-building the innings at that stage and see where we could go from there.
“It was unbelievable that I could be that person. It was my day I think.”
Bangladesh, fresh from T20 wins over Australia and New Zealand, went into the game as favourites to win Group B and appeared on track when Scotland lost captain Kyle Coetzer for a duck in the third over.
George Munsey – who struck two sixes in his 29 – and Matthew Cross (11) steadied with a 40-run second-wicket partnership before both perished in an over by Mahedi Hasan (3-19).
Shakib Al Hasan (2-17) also struck twice in the same over as Scotland lost 5-8.
Shakib overtook Sri Lanka’s Lasith Malinga (107) as the leading wicket-taker in T20 Internationals in the process.
Greaves and Mark Watt (22 off 17) combined in a 51-run seventh-wicket stand to rescue the innings.
Greaves hit two sixes and four fours in his 28-ball knock to bring Scotland back into the contest.
Greaves was just as damaging with the ball, removing No.3 Shakib for 20 and the dangerous Mushfiqur Rahim for 38.
Scottish quick Brad Wheal claimed 3-24.
The stage was set for a thrilling finish with Bangladesh needing 24 off the final over to win.
Mahedi and Mohammed Saifuddin combined to strike two fours and a six off Safyaan Sharif but still fell short.
The top two teams from Group B will make the Super 12 stage of the tournament starting on October 23 in the United Arab Emirates.
In the opening match of the tournament co-host nation Oman trounced Papua New Guinea by 10 wickets, needing just 13.4 overs to surge past a target of 129 runs.
Jeff
Roar Rookie
I expected Scotland to take it Bangladesh last night, though thought pre-match it would go the Banglas way. Scotland is in prime position now to get through. In this group, it was getting the win against Bangladesh that could propel a side through, and Scotland have done that. The other group is a much tougher affair. I have some real doubts over Sri Lanka making it through with Ireland and Netherlands to navigate past. Namibia right now aren't quite what they have been in other years. From what I watched last night, I'd be ruling a line through PNG - which means a second win for Scotland and I think 2 wins from 3 will be enough to get through - though Oman has boosted its NRR nicely. I guess a big win to Bangladesh - if they beat Oman and PNG - could be problematic for Scotland. Hard to judge what the rest of Oman's batting line up could do - but their openers looked good. Agree re it being a tough pathway, though the flipside is Scotland should be nicely primed by the time it hits the Super Six stage, should it get there.
Camo McD
Roar Guru
Well deserved win and another excellent performance from this group of Scottish players who have been absolutely phenomenal over the past 5 years. By my reckoning we have gained victories over full members including England, Afghanistan, Zimbabwe, Sri Lanka, Ireland and now Bangladesh from very limited opportunities during this period. It is a shame that having already succeeded in a cut-throat qualifier to reach this tournament, the successful associates are made to go through yet more qualification stages rather than starting on a level playing field in the tournament proper. Hopefully there are more scalps to come for the associates in this tournament.