Prime Bank Cricket Club defeated the UCB-BCB XI by 55 runs on the back of opener Liton Das’ timely half-century, disciplined bowling and sharp fielding to win the Amber Victory Day Twenty20 Cup final on Tuesday. Liton, who had struggled throughout the tournament with just 47 runs in six innings, chose the final to repay the side’s faith in him. His 62 runs helped Prime Bank post 174-6 before restricting UCB to 119-8 in a one-sided affair at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium.
Liton and the in-form Anamul Haque (27) provided Prime Bank with the perfect start, putting on 59 runs before Anamul was bowled through the gate by pace bowler Mukter Ali.
Liton hammered six fours and two sixes in his 39-ball innings, as he looked to play his shots while the other Prime batsmen seemed reluctant to press on, even after making starts.
Sabbir Rahman (25) looked dangerous but gave his wicket away playing a cross-bat shot against Mukter, who finished with figures of 2-31. Pace bowler Al-Amin Hossain cut through the middle-order, claiming 3-31.
Al-Amin removed Sakib al Hasan (14) and then got Alok Kapali (18) and Saikat Ali (16) on consecutive balls, but he was denied his second hat-trick of the tournament by Tanveer Haider.
UCB never looked to threaten the target after losing their centurion from the last match, Tamim Iqbal (2), to a controversial decision by umpire Ibne Sharafuddoala, who raised his finger when Sohag Gazi dived forward to hold a caught-and-bowled chance.
Tamim was later fined Tk 10,000 for his furious response and failure to leave the pitch in a timely manner by match referee Roqibul Hasan.=
‘I was not out as the ball hit my pad,’ Tamim told reporters after the match.
‘You ask computer analyst Nasu bhai [Nasir Ahmed] to know the truth.’
Nasir later told New Age that Tamim was not out as the ball had not made contact with his bat.
Rony Talukder (32) looked to settle down but paid the price for picking the wrong delivery to drive, as Rubel Hossain pitched the ball slightly shorter and drew a simple catch for mid-off.
Imrul Kayes’ (23) innings was cut short when Rubel took a brilliant one-handed running catch at mid-on.
Prime Bank’s Anamul Haque was named the man of the tournament for his 298 runs and 13 dismissals.
BRIEF SCORES
Prime Bank CC v UCB BCB XI
Prime Bank CC 174-6 in 20 overs (Liton 62, Anamul 27, Sabbir 25, Kapali 18; Al-Amin 3-31, Muktar 2-31) v UCB BCB XI 119-8 in 20 overs (Rony 32, Imrul 23, Marshal 21 not out; Taijul 2-21).
Result: Prime Bank CC won by 55 runs.
Man of the match: Rubel Hossain (PBCC).
-With New Age input
