Bangabandhu T20 Cup Tournament 2020 

17th Match: Beximco Dhaka VS Gemcon Dhaka 

Beximco Dhaka 179/7 (Sabbir Rahman 56, Mohammad Naim 36, Al Amin 36, Akbar Ali 31, Shohidul Islam 2/31, Mashrafe Bin Murtaza 1/26) beat Gemcon Khulna 159 All Out in 19.3 Overs (Jahurul Islam 53, Shamim Hossain 24, Mahmudullah 23, Robiul Islam Robi 5/27) by 20 runs 

Player Of The Match: Robiul Islam Robi 

Possibly Bangabandhu T20 Tournament is culminating to the climax the way it was designed.  The favorites emerging among the top.  Beximco Dhaka winning by 20 runs against Gemcon Khulna advanced 

In Round One Dhaka visited at the bottom of the points table losing 3 out of 4 matches. But the potential of Dhaka was not in doubt.  In the second round winning 3 in 3 they have already joined Chottogram and Khulna for business session.  They have just squeezed out star-studded Khulna by 20 runs.  Few may raise few questions here and there. But the way Dhaka launched assault on Khulna bowlers today from the outset was giving clear indication of their intentions. I would rather say they should have taken their electrifying start to an innings way above 179/7 they scored losing way at mid-way. Khulna chased poorly. Perhaps booking their place already among top four they were a bit relaxed as well. Khulna could score 159 before being bundled out for 159. The most worrying matter is that their star all-rounder neither batted well nor bowled in his own miserly mode. Winning by 20 runs Dhaka confirmed a place in the knock out. Chottogram, Khulna and Dhaka all have 8 points. Tonight, the fate of Barisal would be clear a bit. One of the two Barisal or Rajshahi would go through depends on who plays better against Chottogram. 

Dhaka started like Bullet Train after put into bat. Mashrafe kept it tight. But Naim ruthlessly spanked Shakib blasting 4 sixes and taking 26 in his first over. We are not sure when Shakib in any format of cricket was treated such brutally. Left hand batsmen enjoy left arm orthodox spin. Perhaps it was not ideal decision opening with Shakib. Moreover, Naim was desperate to match batting of other young batsmen in this tournament. However, could stop Naim in the fourth over but by that time he already gave a rollicking start. His 36 in 17 deliveries had 5 sixes. Al Amin joined Sabbir. Finally, Sabbir started finding his touch. He was looking like a shadow of his past all the while. This pair keeping the momentum going added 64 for the second wicket partnership in 7 overs. It appeared that from there another score of 200 plus would be seen. But fall of 3 quick wickets including those of Al Amin, Mushfique and inform Rabbi stalled the innings. Though Sabbir and Akbar added 42 for the 5th wicket. Yet 179/7 appeared at least 20 runs short. Sabbir should have regained his confidence scoring 56 in 38 deliveries. Akbar also scored 31. Shakib in 3 overs conceded 36 runs without getting a wicket. Mashrafe bowled with control and got the wicket of Mushfique giving away 26 runs in his 4 overs.
  
The response of Khulna never got any momentum with wickets falling at regular intervals. Zakir got out in the second over. Shakib once again failed living up to his reputation. scoring only 8 in 7 balls before holing out to Rubel Hossain off the bowling of Robiul Islam. None but Jahurual (53) and for a while Mahmudullah (23) looked at all eager to stay and score. It was not any pacer. Khulna was toyed by right arm off spinner Robiul Islam Robi taking 5/27. Of the rest Shamim only scored 24. When 8 batsmen cannot reach double-digit score, a team cannot win a T20 match. 
Did GEMCON Khulna at all wanted to win?

BDST: 1605 HRS, DEC 10, 2020
AP/SMS