Mahmudullah XI clinches BCB President’s Cup title

DHAKA—Showing an unwavering resolve, Mahmudullah XI clinched the title of BCB President’s Cup as they recorded an emphatic seven-wicket win over Nazmul XI at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium on Sunday.

Mahmudullah Riyad-led side indeed made it count when it mattered most as they came on the top of the Nazmul XI in the most important game after losing the both matches against the same opponent in the group phase.

Fast bowler Sumon Khan, opener Liton Das and middle order batsman Imrul Kayes played a key role in sealing the victory by showing some worthy performance.

Nazmul XI was dismissed for 173 in 47.1 overs after Sumon claimed 5-38 by showing a gem of fast bowling. Chasing a relatively small total, Mahmudullah XI raced to the victory in just 29.4 overs, making 177-3.

Liton Das hammered 68 off 69, sending the ball across the ropes for 10 times, while Kayes blasted 55 ball-53 with one four and six sixes, last of which ensured the victory.

Sumon Khan’s 5-38 was complemented by his new ball bowling partner Rubel Hossain’s 2-27 as the duo strangled Nazmul XI in a pitch that was at least conducive to batting.

Irfan Shukkur however stood tall in batting amid his colleagues’ offensive downfall, by hitting a scintillating 75 off 77 that included eight fours and two sixes.

Shukkur’s batting showed the pitch had no demons at least. But Nazmul XI lost the half of the batting line even before crossing 70 runs in the most important game.

Nazmul XI’s opener Saif Hasan started with boundary but Rubel Hossain took the sweet revenge by dismissing him in the penultimate delivery of the first over. His opening partner Soumya Sarkar edged one to wicket-keeper of Sumon Khan bowling to be out on 5.

Skipper Nazmul Hossain held the one end but the likes of Mushfiqur Rahim and (12) Afif Hossain (0), the two mainstay of middle order failed to make it big this time around.

After the dismissal of the duo, Shanto also played a rash shot to be out for 32, leaving Nazmul XI to 64-5.

Irfan Shukkur found support in Towhid Ridoy when Nazmul XI was in danger to be all out below 100.

They shared a 70-run partnership for the sixth wicket stand to help the side propel past 150 runs mark.

After scoring 26 off 53 with two fours, Ridoy was deceived by Mahmudullah Riyad’s off-spin.

As the partnership was broken, Nazmul XI saw another collapse while Shukkur kept charging. But one shot too many caused his downfall as the ninth batsman. Nazmul XI then lost the last wicket without adding any run.

Mahmudullah XI lost Mominul (4), who opened the innings with Liton, at the early of the innings but Liton paced the innings such way that it didn’t make any adverse impact.

He firstly added 48-run with Mahmudul Hasan Joy for the second wicket to keep the things control. Joy, before trapped leg-before by Nasum Ahmed, scored 18 off 32.

Liton who brought up his first fifty in the tournament with a reverse-swept four off 47 balls, further tightened the noose, ably supported by Imrul Kayes.

Both of them unleashed some powerful stroke from their repertoire to disarray the bowlers of the Nazmul XI and in doing so, kept the side closer to the victory.

However Liton couldn’t finish the match of his own as Nasum Ahmed had him caught by Emon after he scored 68 off 69 with 10 boundaries, bringing an end to his 63-run partnership with Kayes.

Captain Mahmudullah and Kayes then seal the deal without any fuss with the latter signed off match with a huge six. Mahmudullah was unbeaten on 23 off just 11, clattering three fours and one six.

Brief Score:

Nazmul XI 173 in 47.1 overs (Irfan Shukkur 75, Nazmul Hossain Shanto 32, Towhid Ridoy 26, Mushfiqur Rahim 12; Sumon Khan 5-38, Rubel Hossain 2-27, Ebadot 1-18)

Mahmudullah XI 177-3 in 29.4 overs (Liton Das 68, Imrul Kayes 53, Mahmudullah 23, Mahmudul Hasan Joy 18; Nasum Ahmed 2-48, Al-Amin Hossain 1-32)

Result: Mahmudullah XI wins by 7 wickets.BSS