Bangladesh HP win the first T20 against Malaysia

Bangladesh High Performance (HP) team thrashed Malaysia by 89 runs in the opening T20 of their two-match series at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Mirpur on Saturday.

After being bowled out for 158 off the final ball of their innings, Bangladesh HP dismissed Malaysia for just 69 in 16 overs, with spinners Rubel Hasan and Rakibul Hasan leading the attack.

Malaysia were in trouble from the first delivery of their chase when Abu Hider Rony bowled opener Nazmus Sakib for a golden duck.

Rubel struck in the following over to remove the other opener, Aslam Khan, as Malaysia quickly lost control of the chase.

Ahamed Aqeel offered the only significant resistance, scoring 29 off 25 balls, while Amir Azim made 15. Malaysia continued to lose wickets regularly and were eventually bowled out well short of the target.

Rubel conceded only six runs in his three overs for two wickets, while Rakibul also claimed two wickets. Abu Hider, Abdur Gaffar Saqlain, S M Meherob Hasan and Mrittunjoy Chowdhury picked up one wicket each.

Earlier, Bangladesh HP endured a difficult start after being sent in to bat.
Jisan Alam was dismissed without scoring, while Ariful Islam made 15 off 12 balls and Sabbir Rahman scored 14 off 12. Wicketkeeper Pritom Kumar managed four.

Zawad Abrar provided some early momentum with a 28 off 18 balls before Bangladesh slipped to 73 for five in the 10th over.

Captain S M Meherob Hasan and Abdur Gaffar Saqlain then rescued the innings with a crucial 52-run sixth-wicket partnership.

Meherob struck 40 off just 22 balls, hitting three fours and two sixes, while Saqlain made 32 off 26 deliveries with one four and three sixes. Their stand helped Bangladesh reach a competitive 158.

Vijay Unni was Malaysia’s most successful bowler with three wickets, while Sharvin Muniady and Junaid Khan claimed two each.

The second and final T20 will be played at the same venue tomorrow.