Saifuddin bags a fifer to help Tamim XI bundle out Nazmul XI for 165
Pace bowling all-rounder Mohammad Saifuddin bagged a fifer to help Tamim XI bundle out Nazmul XI for 165 in 39.3 overs in the final group stage match of the BCB President's Cup that was reduced to a 41 overs-a-side game after rain interrupted proceedings at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur today.
However, as per the DLS method, Tamim XI would now need to get 164 runs in 41 overs to win the game.
Saifuddin and left-arm pacer Mustafizur Rahman kept things tight at the death, picking up wickets at regular intervals while making the batsmen work hard for their runs. Saifuddin finished with impressive figures of five for 26 in his 8.3 overs that included a maiden while Mustafizur finished with three for 36 in his eight overs that also featured a maiden.
Electing to bat, Najmul XI did not have a bright start either as they were reeling from losing three quick wickets with just 25 runs on the board after 8.1 overs. Saifuddin and Mustafizur accounted for a wicket each during that slump.
However, after that Afif Hossain and Mushfiqur Rahim -- the duo that had strung together a crucial 147-run stand in their previous game against the same opponent -- once again revived the innings through a 90-run fourth-wicket stand today.
Mushfiqur was the first one to fall when the experienced campaigner was caught at deep fine leg while trying to hit Saifuddin for a six in the 29th over. Mushfiqur returned after scoring a 75-ball 51 featuring three boundaries and a maximum. Afif too fell soon after. The youngster saw his stumps rattled off a Mahadi Hasan delivery in the 32nd over after a 61-ball 40.
After that, wickets kept falling at regular intervals as Mustafizur and Saifuddin made it difficult for batsmen to score runs.
Rain halts proceedings with Najmul XI reeling from early wickets
Rain has halted proceedings in the final group phase match of the BCB President's Cup with Najmul XI reeling from early loss of wickets.
However, they can bank on the experience of Mushfiqur Rahim and Afif Hossain, both of whom are unbeaten at the crease on 17 and 8 respectively before rain stopped play. The duo featured in a 147-run partnership in the previous game against Tamim XI and their current partnership stands at 29.
Soumya Sarkar was the first wicket to fall, Mohammad Saifuddin's delivery catching the edge of the left-hander's bat and going through to the wicket-keeper. The other opener Parvez Hossain Emon went for a big shot against Mahadi Hasan but only managed to sky it to Mosaddek Hossain at deep mid-wicket.
Mustafizur Rahman's traditional cutter got the better of skipper Najmul Hossain, who chipped it to mid on for an easy catch as Najmul XI lost their third wicket for 25 runs.
After 15 overs, Mushfiqur and Afif's partnership saw Najmul XI reach 54 for three.
Najmul XI have won the toss and elected to bat first in the final group phase match of the BCB President's Cup at Mirpur's Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium today.
It is a must win game for Tamim XI to keep their hopes alive of reaching the final of the three-team tournament. With one win from three games, even a win might not be enough for Tamim and his troop as net run rate will come into equation in case they win today.
Going into the final game of the round robin league, Najmul XI are top courtesy of superior run-rate. Mahmudullah XI finished on four points with two wins and now must wait for today's match to find out their fate in this tournament.