Twitter Reactions: Najmul Hossain Shanto, Taskin Ahmed take centre stage as Bangladesh clinch thriller against Zimbabwe

Bangladesh lived to fight another day after their impressive three-run victory over Zimbabwe in their ICC T20 World Cup 2022 encounter at The Gabba in Brisbane on Sunday, October 30. This was indeed a morale-boosting win for the Asian side after a 104-run drubbing in the last game against South Africa. 

Meanwhile, Zimbabwe went on to suffer their very first defeat in this tournament, but they still have a chance of making the semis should they comprehensively win their remaining games. However, the African side who had outclassed former world champions Pakistan were just not good enough against Bangladesh barring the impactful partnership which got them close.

So near yet so far case for Zimbabwe

Batting first, Bangladesh lost the key wickets of Litton Das and Soumya Sarkar inside Powerplay before skipper Shakib Al Hasan and Najmul Hossain Shanto carried out the rescue act with a small yet crucial partnership. Even though the Zimbabweans tried their level best to chip in with wickets from one end, Shanto stood like a wall from the other and kept the scoreboard ticking for Bangladesh. 

Shanto scored 71 runs off 55 deliveries as Bangladesh posted a respectable total of 150/7. Richard Ngarava and Blessing Muzarabani were the picks of the bowlers for Zimbabwe with two wickets each.

In reply, the Zimbabwean innings ran out of fire and brimstone right from the beginning and they were reeling at 35/4 inside the Powerplay after Sikandar Raza's dismissal for a duck. At one point it appeared as if the African side would go on to suffer a humilating defeat.

However, veteran Sean Williams and promising all-rounder Ryan Burl resurrected the Zimbabwean innings that seemed to be down and out at 69/5 in the 12th over as the duo brought their side closer to the target with an impactful 63-run stand for the sixth wicket. 

Just when Zimbabwe were within touching distance, they ended up losing the prized wicket of Sean Williams for an excellent knock of 64 runs off 42 balls. Burl tried his level best, but could not receive much support from the other end.

Muzarabani was stumped off the final delivery and Bangladesh started celebrating. However, the celebrations were short lived when the umpires took the matter upstairs and replays showed that stumper Nurul Hasan had collected the ball in front of the stumps and it was a no ball. The players were then asked to return back to the field instantly. A free hit was signaled. Fortunately for them, tail-ender Muzarabani missed the tossed up delivery bowled outside off stump and Bangladesh players celebrated the win. 

Here's how Twitter reacted to this dramatic contest

What drama. Great game but hard luck Zimbabwe. #ZIMvsBAN

— Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) October 30, 2022

Last over thriller and @BCBtigers have won their second now. Nerves of steel from Mosaddek Hussain and brilliant from Taskin and Mustafizur 👏🏻 That throw from @Sah75official changed the game! Tough luck for @ZimCricketv. #BANvsZIM #T20WorldCup

— Robin Aiyuda Uthappa (@robbieuthappa) October 30, 2022

My god. What drama! Great spot by the umpires. 1 ball 4 now. #BANvsZIM

— Abhinav Mukund (@mukundabhinav) October 30, 2022

Bangladesh have the final Blessing! #BANvsZIM #T20WorldCup2022

— Brad Hogg (@Brad_Hogg) October 30, 2022

I think there should be a study about number of heart patients before and after an ICC event especially in the subcontinent 😅 Last ball thrillers making the tournament exciting though 🔥 #BANvZIM #T20WorldCup

— Wasim Jaffer (@WasimJaffer14) October 30, 2022

Mubarak #Bangladesh 🐅 ♥️#BANvZIM

— Zaheer Deswali🇵🇰 (@zaheerdeswali10) October 30, 2022

Muzarabani 😂😂😂#BANvZIM | #T20WorldCup2022

— D.B. Cooper (@RTM_221B) October 30, 2022

What is this World Cup? #T20WorldCup #BanvZim

— Haider Azhar (@HaiderAzhar) October 30, 2022

A brilliant knock from the Bangladesh opener#T20WorldCup | #BANvZIM pic.twitter.com/Oj0AOpeekJ

— T20 World Cup (@T20WorldCup) October 30, 2022

THANKS BANGLADESH congrats #BANvZIM #ICCT20WorldCup

— Sohail Imran (@sohailimrangeo) October 30, 2022

I am so done with this game. #BANvZIM

— Husham Ahmed (@hushamahmed) October 30, 2022

Bangladesh hold their nerve and finally can say they have won this match 😅Two more games today and we could have even more fireworks 💥 #BANvZIM

— Kass Naidoo (@KassNaidoo) October 30, 2022

Bangladesh you nailed it #BANvZIM #banvszim

— Zain shaikh (@zain45048423) October 30, 2022

Whole Pakistan right now 🥺😂#BANvZIM #T20WorldCup pic.twitter.com/8IEJmHhq38

— Capt Zainab Raja 🇵🇰⁩ (@_ZainiRaja) October 30, 2022

Zimbabwe lost #BANvZIM pic.twitter.com/aQMmDfMz9Z

— BhaiJaaan Says🎃 (@SMUBTH1103) October 30, 2022