Youngsters shine in to help Barishal post 193-3 against Dhaka

DHAKA -Riding on three half-centuries from their three youngsters, Fortune Barishal compiled a hefty 193-3 against Beximco Dhaka in the crucial Bangabandhu T20 Cup game at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium on Saturday.

A victory in the game is important for their aspiration to seal the playoffs deal. And Barishal responded terrifically after being sent to bat first.

Opener Saif Hassan paved the platform, hitting a 50 off 43, sending the ball across the rope for eight times.

Utilizing the platform set by Saif, Afif Hossain and Towhid Ridoy went berserk on the Dhaka bowlers to pile up 91 off 39 balls for the undefeated fourth wicket partnership to take Barishal in a zone which looked safe.

Captain Tamim Iqbal failed to deliver in the crucial game as he was dismissed for 19 off 17 but Saif kept the scoreboard ticking rapidly.

Barishal received further setback when Parvez Hossain Emon, the fastest T20 centurion of Bangladesh, was dismissed for run-a-ball-13.

Shortly after the dismissal of Emon, Saif was also removed.

But there was no look back for Barishal after that as Afif and Ridoy came hard on the Dhaka bowlers to milk runs at will.

Thanks to their free flowing batting, Barishal amassed 78 runs in the last five overs, which means they took almost 16 runs per over in the last powerplay.

Both of the batsmen reached their respective half-century at the last over.

Afif Hossain finally remained not out on 50 off 25, hitting one four and five towering sixes while Towhid Ridoy was on 51 off 22, smashing two fours and four sixes.

Brief Score:

Fortune Barishal 193-3 in 20 overs (Towhid Ridoy 51 not out, Afif Hossain 50 not out, Saif Hasan 50; Al-Amin 1-5, Rubel Hossain 1-28, Muktar Ali 1-48).BSS