Mahmudullah XI emerged the champions in the BCB President’s Cup defeating Najmul XI by seven wickets in the final in the city’s Mitpur on Sunday at the flood-lit Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium.
Chasing Najmul XI’s 173 off 47.1 overs, Mahmudullah XI sailed home in just 29.4 overs making 177 for the loss of three wickets.
Mahmudullah XI had a shaky start as they lost opener Mominul Haque for mere four runs.
After Mominul’s departure, Liton Das and Mahmudul Hasan added together 48 runs for the second wicket stand before Mahmudul Hasan (18) was trapped leg before wicket by Nasum Ahmed when Mahmudullah XI’s total was 66 for the loss of two wickets.
After Mahmudul’s dismissal, Liton Das and Imrul Kayes salvaged their team from uncertainity contributing together 63 runs
in the third wicket stand before Liton Das was caught by substitute Parvez Hossain off Nasum Ahmed when Mahmudullah XI’s score was 129 for the loss of three wickets.
Then Imrul Kayes and Mahmudullah Riyad guided their team to the victory target. They put on together 48 runs for the unbroken fourth wicket partnership.
Liton Das was his team’s most successful batsman who hit 68. He smashed10 fours in his 69-ball innings.
Imrul Kayes remained unbeaten with 53. His 55-ball innings saw six sixes and a four.
Mahmudullah Riyad remained unbeaten with 23.
Nasum Ahmed of Najmul XI got two wickets conceding 48 runs, while Al-Amin Hossain took one wicket for 32 runs.
Earlier, Sumon Khan and Rubel Hossain of Mahmudullah XI played the key role in demolishing Najmul XI’s innings for a paltry total. Sumon Khan captured five wickets at the cost of 38 runs, while Rubel Hossain bagged two wickets instead of 27 runs. Sumon Khan was adjudged the Man of the Match, while Mushfiqur Rahim was adjudged the Man of the Tournament.
Besides, Ebadat Hossain, Mahmudullah Riyad and Mehidy Hasan Miraz took one wicket each for 18, 28 and 39 runs respectively. Najmul XI faced an early debacle as they lost their five wickets for 64 runs.
Then Irfan Sukkur and Towhid Hridoy repaired the damage adding together 70 runs for the sixth wicket partnership before Towhid Hridoy was caught by Liton Das off Mahmudullah Riyad when Najmul XI’s total was 134 for the loss of six wickets. After Hridoy’s dismissal, rest of the batsmen of Najmul XI failed to build any notable partnership.
Irfan Sukkur alone fought back against the tight bowling attack of the bowlers of Mahmudullah XI making a superb 75 before he was cleanly bowled out by in-form pacer Rubel Hossain. Sukkur struck eight fours and two sixes in his splendid 77-ball knock.
Earlier, Najmul Hossain played a captain’s knock of 32. He shone with four fours in his 57-ball innings.
Towhid Hridoy scored 26 off 53 balls.
