Bangladesh opener Tamim Iqbal continued to shine in HRV Cup Twenty20 tournament in New Zealand when he hammered 74 off 47 balls to steer Wellington Firebirds to a massive 57-run win over Canterbury Wizards on Sunday. Tamim struck eight fours and three sixes and put on 71 runs with equally devastating Jesse Ryder in the opening stand in the match at Mainpower Oval, Rangiora as Wellington piled up 190-2 in their 20 overs.
This was Tamim’s second fifty in the tournament having made 68 from 49 balls in the previous match against Northern Knights. His tournament tally is now 191 runs in five matches.
Firebirds never had any doubt about the win after debutant paceman Malaesaili Tugaga took four wickets in his opening spell to help his side reduce the Wizards to 41-4 inside eight overs.
They were finally all out for 133 runs with an over still to go. Andrew Ellis made highest 48 runs for the side,
This was Firebirds’ fifth win in eight matches which took them to second place in the points table behind Otago Volts.
Wellington Firebirds will face Otago Volts in their next match on January 11.
-With New Age input
