Meherob shines as HP thrash Malaysia

Captain S M Meherob Hasan’s all-round brilliance helped Bangladesh High Performance (HP) team thrash Malaysia by 89 runs in the opening T20 at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur on Saturday.

Sent in to bat, Bangladesh were in deep trouble at 73 for five in the 10th over. Meherob and Abdur Gaffar Saqlain then steadied the innings with a 52-run stand for the sixth wicket.

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Saqlain was dismissed for 32 off 26 balls, with one four and three sixes, but Meherob continued to attack and scored 40 off 22 balls, including three fours and two sixes, as Bangladesh were bowled out for 158 on the final ball of their innings.

For Malaysia, Vijay Unni claimed 3-25, while Sharvin Muniady and Junaid Khan took two wickets apiece.

Malaysia lost opener Nazmus Sakib off the first ball of their innings and never recovered, losing wickets at regular intervals.

Ahamed Aqeel top-scored with 29 off 25 balls, but none of the other batters could make a significant contribution as Malaysia were bowled out for just 69 in 16 overs.

For Bangladesh, Rubel Hasan and Rakibul Hasan took two wickets each, while Abu Hider Rony, Saqlain, Meherob and Mrittunjoy Chowdhury claimed one wicket apiece.

The second and final T20 will be held at the same venue on Monday.

Malaysia will then feature in a three-match one-day series against the Bangladesh U-23 squad at the Bashundhara Sports Complex on August 12, 14 and 16 respectively.