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Batting first, Bangladesh scored 181 for 7 with skipper Mahmudullah making 50 off 28 balls and Shakib Al Hasan contributing 46 off 37 balls. In reply, Papua New Guinea could manage only 97 runs with Shakib picking up 4/9 from his four overs.
Electing to bat, Bangladesh lost opener Mohammad Naim (0), courtesy a stunning catch by Sese Bau at deep-square leg. Liton Das (29) and Shakib rallied the innings with their 50-runs second wicket stand. Bangladesh then lost the momentum but thanks to Mahmudullah, who brought them back into contention.
Mahmudullah hammered three maximums and as many boundaries as his knock helped the ‘Tigers’ to rebuild as 68 runs were added in the last five overs.