Mushy ton in vain as Tamim XI win by 42 runs

There were big question marks over how the batsmen could end the draught of big runs in the ongoing tournament as Tamim XI faced Najmul XI in the third match of the BCB President's Cup at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur. Except Mahedi Hasan and Mushfiqur Rahim, none really showed up with the answers and for Najmul XI, Mushfiqur's battling 103 in the end was not enough as Tamim XI won by 42 runs.

Mahadi Hasan's 57-ball 82 under pressure, laced with nine fours and three sixes, had earlier ensured that Tamim XI reached a tournament-high score 221 for nine. For the majority of the second innings that score looked like enough with Mustafizur Rahman both bowling economically and removing Saif Hassan and skipper Nazmul Hossain in his first spell. Soumya Sarkar battled out a slow and cumbersome 9 off 46 deliveries before falling to Mohammad Saifuddin as pressure piled on.

Tamim XI players celebrate a wicket. Photo: Firoz Ahmed

Mushfiqur played a lone hand in a solid knock of 103 off 109 deliveries. Afif Hossain (15), Towhid Hridoy (4) and Irfan Shukkur (24) accompanied him for relatively short partnerships. Mushfiqur upped the tempo at the death end of the innings, hitting a few big shots to reach his 100 off 103 deliveries. In the 45th over, he tried a cheeky scoop of Mustafizur to become the left armer's third victim and with that the match finally escaped Nazmul XI as they were bowled out for 179. Fizz bagged three wickets for 15 runs in eigh overs while Shoriful Islam returned with figures of four for 37 in 10 overs. With this victory, Tamim XI are now on level on points with Mahmudullah XI and Nazmul XI in the points table.

Tamim Iqbal got the start he needed but fell after a 45-ball 33. Photo: Firoz Ahmed

Earlier, asked to bat first Tamim XI were in the doldrums yet again as wickets fell in crucial periods. The lack of momentum was telling as wickets first fell around Tamim.

Tanzid, who struck two boundaries off Al-Amin in the second over, was looking good before he threw his wicket away while looking for a third boundary in the over, but skied his attempted pull shot to Mukidul at mid-on. Anamul Haque (12 off 13) edged a Taskin delivery to Soumya Sarkar at first slip as he also returned after getting a start. Tamim had reached 33 in 45 deliveries before a Nayeem Hasan delivery lulled him forward and caught the edge and was taken at slip.

Shahdat Hossain and Mosaddek Hossain started the rebuilding process after that as the duo strung together a 40-run fifth-wicket stand. But that too came to an end when Mosaddek fell prey to leg spinner Rishad Ahmed in the 30th over. After that, poor shot selections from Shahadat, Akbar Ali and Mohammad Saifuddin saw them throwing their wickets away cheaply.

Mahedi Hasan plays a pull shot during his 57-ball 82. Photo: Firoz Ahmed

Coming in at number nine, Mahedi took the reins of scoring the runs and reached 30 off 23 before rain interrupted proceedings with Tamim XI score at 154 for eight.

It looked like a score of 200 would remain elusive and the trend of low scores would continue in the tournament but Mahadi's bat fired just at the right time for Tamim's side who were reeling from their 103-run all-out in their last game. Mahadi played some magnificent shots at the death of the innings before falling to Mukidul Islam Mughdho in the final over. Taijul remained unbeaten on 21 off 43. Nayeem was the pick of the bowlers with two wickets for 28 while Al Amin bagged three for 43.