Bangabandhu T20 Cup Tournament 2020
1st Qualifier: Gemcon Khulna VS Gazi Group Chattogram
Played at SBNCS, Dhaka of 14 December 2020
Gemcon Khulna 210/7 (Zahurul Islam 80, Mahmudullah Riad 30, Shakib Al Hasan 28, Imrul Kayes 25, Mustafizur Rahman 2/31) beat Gazi Group Chattogram 163 All Out (Mohammad Mithun 53, Mahmudul Hasan Joy 31, Liton Das 24, Mashrafe Bin Murtaza 5/35, Ariful Haq 2/26) by 47 Runs.
Player Of The Match: Mashrafe Mortaza
Vintage Mashrafe was seen in full flow yet again. In the 1st qualifier of Bangabandhu T20 Cup tournament between table topper Chattogram and star-studded Khulna hero for ever majestic Mashrafe produced career best T20 bowling spell. His 5/35 was the winner in the match which also witnessed all-stars Mahmudullah (30), Shakib (28), Imrul (25) played their role and Zahurul (80) also starred. Batting first Khulna produced impressive 210/7. Mashrafe fire could let Chattogram restricted to 163. Khulna winning by 47 runs stormed into the final.
We are aware that in the two round group matches Chattogram performed far better than the all-other teams winning against Khulna even twice. In the first Khulna was bundled out below 100. On the day it was very different. Khulna executed a plan and it worked. The first wicket partnership between Zahurul batting steadily over the past few matches and Zakir Hasan set up an ideal launching pad scoring 71 in 9.2 overs. Kayes and Zahurul added 48 for the 2nd wicket. Zahurul batted smartly for his 51 balls 80 striking 5 fours 4 sixes neutralizing the impacts of Mustafiz and Shoriful to a great extent. Shakib finally played a cameo of 28 in 15 deliveries with 2 fours and 2 sixes. Mahmudullah did the role of finisher blasting 30 in only 9 deliveries. In the match finally all-stars glowed and Khulna mounted the peak scoring 210/7. Mustafiz though not as effective in other matches yet took 2/ 31.
When a team of Khulna’s caliber and class having so many experienced quality campaigners score 200 plus in a T20 match it requires quality and in-depth batting consistency to challenge. Chittagong had quality but lacked big match temperament. Flamboyant Liton and Soumya failed teeing off. Who else other than Mashrafe fits such occasion? Though Liton smoked him for a four and a six in his first over he removed otherwise dangerous Soumya for golden duck. From there on Chattogram never recovered. Mashrafe in the first spell of the second over also got rid of Liton and in his third over also took the wicket of Joy. In between Mithun (53) tried his best to challenge Khulna. Mashrafe in his last over of the spell getting rid of Shamsur Rahman and Mustafiz grabbed the first 5 wickets haul in his chequered career. 5-star Mashrafe proved yet again his champion class.
Winning the first qualifier Khulna stormed into the final where they would meet either Chattogram or Dhaka on 18 December 2020 as Beximco Dhaka also prevailed over Fortune Group Barisal early on the day.
BDST: 1235 HRS, DEC 15, 2020
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