Bangabandhu T20 Cup Tournament 2020
20th Match: Fortune Group Barishal VS Beximco Dhaka 
Played at SBNCS Dhaka on 12 December 2020
Brief Scorecard:
Fortune Group Barisal 193/3 (Tawhid Hriday 51, Saif Hasan 50, Afif Hossain 50) beat Beximco Dhaka 191/6 (Mohammad Naim Sheikh 105, Yasir Ali Rabbi 41, Soharawardy Shuvo 3/13) by 2 Runs. 
Player of The Match: Mohammad Naim

Finally, it took a very exciting and thrilling match won by a bare margin by Fortunate Fortune Group Barisal to skip over Minister Group Rajshahi in the race for a spot among top four. 

Three budding young players Hriday (51), Saif (50) and Afif (50) presented three sparkling innings as Rajashai posted impressive 193/3 batting first. In dew-soaked hazy conditioned Dhaka almost toppled the target riding on a brilliant aggressive 105 by Naim. But they fell just short by 2 runs as veteran Soharawardy squeezed taking 3/13. Finishing 4th Barisal earned a spot for the knock out stage. 

If one is asked to make a qualified comment looking at the outcome of the tournament so far one would agree that four better performing teams are in business round. Rajshahi played well but did not have the weapons in their arsenal to travel the distance. They made few strategic mistakes even in the last crunch match yesterday dropping Ebadat and Farhad and also ignoring experienced Ashraful. After winning the first two matches they lost 6 matches on the trot. They looked down and out all through their match against Chattogram yesterday.

On the other hand, Barisal looked very different from the very outset yesterday. They were determined for the win and finished winning. Three budding youngsters Tawhid Hriday, Saif Hasan and Afif were not playing to their reputation in the tournament. They made this do or die match as occasion for glowing. Each produced brilliant aggressive half centuries in taking the team to impressive 193/3 batting first. This happened though Tamim Iqbal and Pervez Emon failed to deliver on the day. Saif scored 50 in 43 deliveries opening the innings with Tamim. Hriday and Afif were much more aggressive.  They together put on 91 runs in their unfinished 4th wicket partnership in 6.2 Overs. Hriday remained not out on 51 in 22 deliveries and Afif scored 50 in 25 balls. Two struck 9 sixes in the process. None of the Dhaka bowlers could make much impression. 

Dhaka had a stake for winning. Win could take them to second position, which according to the rules of the tournament offers two opportunities to crack at the trophy. Instead, they now will play eliminator with Barishal. In Dhaka innings it was young Bangladesh opening batsman Mohammad Naim who finally presented gem on an innings. His 105 in 64 deliveries composed of 8 strokes across the carpet and 7 across and over. Unfortunately, only Yasir Rabbi scoring 41 made some contribution. Yet Dhaka reached within 2 runs of the Barisal score and went down fighting by 2 runs. Veteran Soharawardy Shuvo squeezed taking 3/13 in his 3 overs. This win was enough elbowing out Rajshahi from the race. 

Tamim Iqbal reported sick and would be tested for suspected CORONA. If that happens it will be a huge blow for Barisal and matter of worry for Bangladesh team. 

In conclusion we must say that four better organized and performing teams went through. Chattogram is by far the best performing all round team. Great bowling and fielding unit. Liton and Soumya are in the form of their life. Mithun is handling his resources smartly. And maestro Salahuddin is using all tricks of his hat in setting strategies. 

Star-studded Khulna without their big guns firing performed for the depth and diversity of the team. Dhaka and Barisal came back strongly in the second round after looking inconsistent in round one. 

THE MAIN OUCOME OF THIS TOURNAMENT IS BUDDING YOUNG PLAYERS PLAYING FEARLESS AGGRESSIVE CRICKET FITTING FOR T20 FORMAT.

BDST: 1228 HRS, DEC 13, 2020
SMS