Bangabandhu T20 Cup Minister Group Rajshahi win a thriller

Sports Reporter :
Minister Group Rajshahi registered a thrilling two-run win over Beximco Dhaka in their inaugural match of the Bangabandhu T20 Cup Cricket at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in the city’s Mirpur on Tuesday.
Put into bat first, Rajshahi piled up a fighting total of 169 for the loss of nine wickets in the allotted 20 overs and then restricted Dhaka to 167 for the loss of five wickets in 20 overs.
Minister Group Rajshahi had a modest start as openers Najmul Hossain Shanto and Aminul Islam Emon put on together 31 runs before Shanto (17) was caught by Tanzid Hasan off Nasum Ahmed.
Anisul Islam Emon made 35 from 23 balls including five fours and a sixer before he stumped out by Mushfiqur Rahim off Nayeem Hasan when Rajshahi’s score was 65 for the loss of four wickets.
Later, wicketkeeper-batsman Nurul Hasan and promising all-rounder Mahedi Hasan built a worthy partnership. They added 89 runs in the sixth wicket stand before Nurul Hasan was caught behind by Mushfiqur Rahim off Muktar Ali when Rajshahi’s total was 154 for the loss of six wickets.
After Nurul Hasan’s dismissal, Rajshahi batsmen failed to make any notable partnership.
Mahedi Hasan hit a superb 50. His 32-ball innings saw four sixes and three fours.
Nurul Hasan struck a quick-fire 39. His 20-ball innings had three sixes and two fours.
Muktar Ali of Beximco Dhaka grabbed three wickets at the cost of 22 runs, while Mehedi Hasan, Nayeem Hasan and Nasum Ahmed got one wicket each conceding 31, 32 and 41 runs respectively.
Beximco Dhaka lost their early three wickets for 55 runs.
Then Mushfiqur Rahim and Akbar Ali repaired the damage contributing together 71 runs for the fourth wicket partnership before Akbar Ali was caught by Mukidul Islam off Farhad Reza when Beximco Dhaka’s total was 126 for the loss of four wickets.
After Akbar Ali’s dismissal, Mushfiqur Rahim could stay at the crease for a short period as Mushfiqur Rahim was caught behind by wicketkeeper Nurul Hasan off Ebadat Hossain when Dhaka’s score was 134 for the loss of five wickets.
Mushfiqur Rahim hit a captain’s knock of 41. His 34-ball innings was belted with three fours and a sixer.
Akbar Ali struck 34 from 29 balls featuring four fours and a sixer.
Earlier, Mohammad Naim made 26 from 17 balls including two sixes and two fours.
Later, Muktar Ali fought back alone hitting a superb innings of unbeaten 27. He hammered three sixes and one four using just 16 deliveries.
Mahedi Hasan, Farhad Reza, Ebadat Hossain and Arafat Sunny took one wicket each for 22, 33, 36 and 38 runs respectively.
Mahedi Hasan of Minster Group of Rajshahi was adjudged the Man of the Match for his all-round performance.