Mushfiq masterclass ends Cumilla’s qualification hope

An imperious innings from Khulna Tigers captain Mushfiqur Rahim cemented his side a berth in the playoff round of the Bangabandhu Bangladesh Premier League Twenty20, and simultaneously ended the qualification hope of Cumilla Warriors. 

After Cumilla won the toss and elected to field first, Khulna opener Mehedi Hasan Miraz and Mushfiq put up a mammoth 168-run partnership as the Tigers posted 218/2. 

Subsequently, Cumilla only managed 126/9 in their stipulated 20 overs.

Miraz retired hurt in the 19th over after scoring 74 off 45 balls, while Mushfiq ended the innings not out on 98 off 57 deliveries, including a dozen fours and three sixes. 

Khulna were off to a shaky start with the early dismissals of opener Najmul Hossain Shanto (one off three deliveries) and No 3 batsman Rilee Roussouw (24 off 11), but Miraz and Mushfiq ensured they reached a total that would be difficult to surpass. 

Mushfiq reacts after missing out Dhaka Tribune/Md Manik

Cumilla off-spinner Mujeeb Ur Rahman took one wicket and conceded only 18 runs in his four overs, while medium pacer Ifran Hossain also took one wicket but gave away 38 runs in three overs. 

Four out of the six bowlers used by the Warriors had economy rates over 10.

Chasing the target, the Cumilla batsmen appeared to buckle under the pressure. 

Opener Sabbir Rahman was bowled out for a golden duck by Khulna pacer Mohammad Amir, and wickets continued to fall at regular intervals.

No 3 batsman Upul Tharanga top-scored for his side with 32 off 23 balls. 

Yasir Ali (29 off 16) and Fardeen Hasan (22 off 23) were the only other Cumilla batsmen who managed to score more than 20.

Khulna medium pacer Shahidul Islam took three wickets and gave away 27 runs in his quota of four overs, while Mohammad Amir and Aminul Islam took two wickets each.

40TH Match, CWvKT

KHULNA TIGERS INNINGS    R    B

Shanto lbw b Ifran         1    3

Miraz retired hurt        74    45

Rossouw c Sabbir b Mujeeb     24    11

Mushfiq not out        98    57

Zadran not out            7    4

Extras (lb 4, w 10)         14

Total (20 Overs)         218/2

Fall Of Wickets

1-2 (Shanto), 2-33 (Rossouw), 2-201* (Miraz)

Bowling

Ifran 3-0-38-1, Haider 4-0-57-0, Mujeeb 4-0-18-1, Soumya 4-0-30-0, Sumon 3-0-40-0, Van Zyl 2-0-31-0 

CUMILLA WARRIOS INNINGS     R    B

Van Zyl c Rossouw b Shahidul     10    13

Sabbir b Amir            0    1

Tharanga c sub (Saif) b Shamsur 32    23

Malan b Shahidul         8    5

Soumya lbw b Amir        10    17

Yasir c Najibullah b Aminul     20    16

Fardeen c Shahidul b Frylinck    22    23

Abu Hider c Shamsur b Aminul     3    5

Mujeeb c Aminul b Shahidul     2    8

Sumon not out            9    7

Ifran not out            1    3

Extras (lb 3, nb 1, w 5)         9    

TOTAL (9 Wickets, 20 Overs)     126

Fall Of Wickets

1-1 (Sabbir), 2-23 (Van Zyl), 3-32 (Malan), 4-60 (Tharanga), 5-76 (Soumya), 6-87 (Yasir), 7-97 (Abu Hider), 8-113 (Fardeen), 9-117 (Mujeeb)

Bowling 

Amir 4-0-24-2, Frylinck 4-0-25-1, Shahidul 4-0-27-3, Shamsur 2-0     -17-1, Aminul 4-0-19-2, Shafiul 2-0-11-0

Tigers won by 92 runs

MoM: Mushfiqur Rahim (KT)