Story ICC World Twenty20 2018 (What if?)

[Viper.]

Ireland unbeaten, Sri Lanka survive, Bangladesh crash out as Group Stage comes to a close​

Bangladesh, the group favourites, lost 3 out of 3 games in Group B to crash out of the tournament early​

The First Round Group Stage of the ICC Men's World Twenty20 2018 in South Africa reaches its conclusion, after twelve games played over six days. Ireland, Sri Lanka, Zimbabwe & Scotland emerge as the best four teams, thereby qualifying to the next Super 12 round of the tournament.

The major absence from the rest of the tournament will be Bangladesh, who started out with an upset defeat against UAE and went on to lose 3 in 3 games following losses against Ireland & Scotland. As the group favourites, along with Sri Lanka in the other group, high expectations were on them to remain unbeaten; a loss would have made it a substandard campaign, however it was a nightmare run where they ended only without a win.

Bangladesh skipper Shakib says that it has been a terrible few days, the team hasn't applied itself quite so well and let some close games slip away due to their own mistakes in execution that let it get to that level. Says that this will be a massive pill to swallow but also a very important learning point for the future, to ensure that they never go down this path again.

Ireland skipper Gary Wilson, on the other hand, is elated, and is very happy with his team's performance as they remain the sole unbeaten side of the first round. Says that the team has delivered exactly the way they planned to, and their ability to deliver in crunch moments undoubtedly won them games. Credits both the batters and the bowlers, says that the Super 12 stage is now the next challenge and they will hope to continue the form there.

Mathews, Sri Lanka's captain feels that they didn't give their 100%, let a game slip away which put their qualification at a higher risk than it should've been. Says they're still glad they have made it through and will make sure to learn from the errors to do better in the Super 12 stage. Credits Kusal Perera and the other batters for their consistent show through the group stage.

Netherlands, despite winning 2 out of 3 games, crashed out as they were singled out with the inferior NRR among the other 2 teams in the group on the same points. Pieter Seelaar, dutch skipper says that the boys fought well but unfortunately it wasn't quite enough, that the final chase shouldn't have slipped away to end so late and that costed them, and they need to work on their situational batting. Feels that there is a great future for the team with young players stepping up.

The Netherlands, UAE, Hong Kong & Bangladesh will return home after being eliminated in the first round, failing to finish Top Two in their group. The four qualified teams will remain in South Africa to travel for their Super 12 games as they stay alive in the competition. The Super 12 stage will commence on the 19th of August starting with the New Zealand-Australia clash in the morning.​

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