Tamim hits maiden T20 hundred
UCB-BCB XI captain Tamim Iqbal propelled his team to the final of the Amber Victory Day Twenty20 Cup after blasting 130 against Mohammedan Sporting Club at Mirpur on Sunday.
Tamim bludgeoned his way to become the highest individual T20 scorer of Bangladesh as UCB-BCB XI defeated Mohammedan by 29 runs to set up a final date with Prime Bank Cricket Club, who earlier beat Abahani Limited by 16 runs to seal their place in Tuesday’s grand finale.
UCB-BCB XI v Mohammedan SC
Tamim was in a marauding mood as he smashed 130 runs off just 64 balls to help UCB-BCB XI post a commanding 217-4, the highest total of the tournament, before dismissing Mohammedan for 188 in 18.4 overs to earn a well deserved win in the encounter which was rightly billed as a semi-final.
The dashing opener began his demolition act after he reached his fifty through a massive six over mid wicket off Dewan Sabbir and immediately launched the following delivery by the same bowler for another six.
Tamim took only 17 balls to go from his fifty to hundred and did not spare a single bowler from his onslaught.
The southpaw was particularly harsh on opposition skipper Mashrafee bin Murtaza, whom he took for 20 runs in the 14th over of UCB-BCB XI’s innings.
Left-arm spinner Elias Sunny ended Tamim’s heroic innings when he was dismissed trying to belt another delivery off the ground only to present a catch to Jahirul Islam at deep mid-wicket.
The damage though was already done by then as Tamim struck as many as 14 fours and four huge sixes.
The UCB-BCB XI skipper added 137 quickfire runs for the second wicket with Mithun Ali (41) to build the platform for the massive total.
Mohammedan though gave UCB-BCB XI a real scare after the former started their chase in fine style with Jahirul taking the opposition bowlers to the sword.
Alongside Junaid Siddiqui (36), the opening duo made a flying start putting on 118 runs in less than nine overs.
Jahirul made 80 from just 31 balls and was all set to overshadow Tamim’s brilliant innings earlier, hitting seven fours and half a dozen sixes. The right-hander though paid the price for misjudging a straight delivery and was stumped by Mithun off the bowling of Enamul Haque Jr.
From there, Mohammedan lost wickets at regular intervals and eventually fell short by 29 runs.
Prime Bank CC v Abahani Limited
Prime Bank opener Anamul Haque displayed signs of roaring back to form after his half-century against Abahani at Mirpur earlier on Sunday guided his team to the final of the Amber Victory Day Twenty20 Cup.
Prime Bank won the crucial encounter by 16 runs and ended their double round-robin campaign on eight points to seal a place in the final alongside UCB-BCB XI.
The right-hander scored 69 runs to help Prime Bank post 175-6 before their bowlers restricted Abahani to 159-5.
Anamul, alongside skipper Sakib al Hasan (25), put on 48 runs for the second wicket before the latter was dismissed by Mahmudullah.
Sakib looked to be in imperious form as he opened his account with a huge six through deep mid-wicket off Nabil Samad and was adventurous right through his 19-ball stay before departing off the bowling of Mahmudullah with wicket-keeper Mehedi Maruf picking up the slight edge.
Anamul, who blasted a century in the previous game, then added 62 runs for the third wicket stand with an in-form Sabbir Rumman (26). Anamul smashed five fours and three sixes.
In reply, Abahani never looked like toppling the target as their top order was unable to script together a single partnership of note in the face of some disciplined bowling from the Prime Bank bowlers.
Nazmul Milon (46 not out) and Sohrawardi Shuvo (35 not out) added 68 runs for the unbroken sixth wicket partnership but it was not enough to take them to victory.
BRIEF SCORES
Abahani Limited v Prime Bank CC
Prime Bank CC 175-6 in 20 overs (Anamul 69, Sabbir 26, Sakib 25; Mahmudullah 2-20, Nabil 2-40) v Abahani Limited 159-5 in 20 overs (Nazmul 46 not out, Sohrawardi 35 not out, Mahmudullah 20; Sabbir 1-3).
Result: Prime Bang CC won by 16 runs.
Man of the match: Anamul Haque (PBCC)
****
UCB BCB XI v Mohammedan SC
UCB BCB XI 217-4 in 20 overs (Tamim 130, Mithun 41, Mukter 19 not out; Dewan 2-53) v Mohammedan SC 188 in 18.4 overs (Johurul 80, Junaed 36, Taiabur 19; Mukter 3-29, Shaid 2-31, Enamul Jr 2-49).
Result: UCB BCB XI won by 29 runs.
Man of the match:Tamim Iqbal (UCBBCBXI)
-With New Age input
