Naim ton in vain as Barishal ensure last playoff spot

Fortune Barishal have made it through to the playoffs despite an explosive ton from Beximco Dhaka opener Mohammad Naim Sheikh during their last group stage match in the Bangabandhu T20 Cup under lights at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur today. 

Barishal won the game by 2 runs, securing the last playoff spot while knocking out Minister Group Rajshahi, who had started off with two consecutive wins but lost the rest of the six matches on the trot, from the five-team tournament. 

There were sixes galore in what was a scintillating game of cricket in Mirpur today. A total of 22 sixes were hit across the two innings -- with seven of those coming from the bat of Naim. 

Naim could however consider himself lucky to have picked up his maiden T20 century as the left-hander was dropped on 49 by Parvez Hossain Emon off a Kamrul Islam delivery in the 13th over. The former Under-19 batsman Emon dropped a simple catch at midwicket as Naim seemed to be gutted for not clearing the ropes. The 21-year-old unleashed the beast after that, smashing five massive sixes since. 

The destructive opener picked up his century in just 60 balls. But it was still not fast enough for Rajshahi skipper Nazmul Hossain, who was probably hoping for Dhaka to chase down Barishal's 194-run target in 18.3 overs -- the required equation to see Rajshahi go through to the playoffs instead of Barishal. 

However, Naim fell in 18.2 overs to Sumon Khan but only after playing a breathtaking 64-ball 105. It probably would not bug Naim that he could not help Rajshahi to qualify but the left-hander surely would be disappointed to have not seen the game through as a win today would have seen Mushfiqur Rahim's Dhaka sit second in the points table, leaving them an extra chance to play in the all-important final. 

Before Naim mesmerised everyone with his jaw-dropping straight hits, Barishal's young batting duo of Afif Hossain and Towhid Hridoy drew plaudits for their incredible show of power hitting. The duo strung together a 91-run fourth-wicket stand off just 39 deliveries, amassing a total of 78 runs in the last five overs. 

Both Afif and Hridoy smashed unbeaten fifties. Afif's 25-ball 50 was laced with one four and five sixes while Hridoy struck four maximums and two fours during his 22-ball 51. Before that, opener Saif Hassan laid the foundation with his first fifty of the tournament -- the right-hander scored 50 off 43 deliveries, featuring eight boundaries. 

On a day that saw bowlers being mercilessly hit out of the park, Barishal's Sohrawordi Shuvo impressed the most with the ball. The left-arm spinner picked up three crucial wickets -- including the prized wicket of Dhaka skipper Mushfiqur -- while giving away just 13 runs in his three overs.