Bangabandhu T 20-Cup Tournament 
Final: Gemcon Khulna VS Gazi Group Chattogram 
Played at SBNCS Dhaka on 18 December 2020 
Gemcon Khulna 155/7 (Mahmudullah Riad 70*, Zakir Hasan 25, Ariful Haq 21, Nahidul Islam 2/19, Shoriful Islam 2/33) beat Gazi Group Chattogram 150 /6, Shykat Ali 53, Liton Das 23, Shamsur Rahman 23, Sohidul Islam 2/3) by 5 Wickets 
Player of the Match: Mahmudullah Riad
Player of the tournament; Mustafizur Rahman 
Best Batsman:  Liton K Das.
Best Bowler:   Mustafizur Rahman 
Special Awards: Nazmul Hasan Shanto, Prevez Hossain Emon, Shoriful Islam and Rabiul Islam Robi

Finally, the curtain dropped of the very eventful Bangabandhu T20 cup tournament very successfully organized by BCB during the second spate of COVID pandemic observing all regulations of bio security bubble. 

Equipped with experienced and quality players Gemcon Khulna prevailing over well-oiled unit of young quality talents Gazi Group Chattogram clinched the trophy winning by 5 runs.  

Nerve wrecking pressure in the tense final required quality player Mahmudullah Raid presenting an excellent unbeaten innings of 70 not out in otherwise low scoring match to the very satisfying win. Chattogram did not throw the towel and went down fighting. Though Chattogram came out deserving second yet their Liton Das and Mustafizur Rahman earned the acclamation the best batsman and the best bowler award. Mustafizur Rahman for his brilliant consistent bowling throughout the tournament was also adjudged the player of the tournament. 

Bangladesh unfortunately could not play any international match during this Pandemic. Neither BPL could be arranged. The scheduled two international matches planned on the occasion of the birth centenary of the father of the Bangladeshi nation could not be staged. The successful organization of Bangabandhu Cup T20 tournament restricted among local players achieved several milestones. Alongside quality veterans talented youngsters playing fearless aggressive cricket fitting to the format created new enthusiasm. It offered BCB think tank opportunities for some useful alternatives. 

Chattogram was by far the most consistent performing team of the tournament. They possessed a bunch budding youth alongside some talented national players. The team was fighting fit and demonstrated youth and enthusiasm throughout the group matches winning 7 of their 8 matches. Liton Das and Soumya rocked as dynamic openers giving flying starts almost regularly. Mustafiz, Shoriful bowled skillfully rocking and rolling most opponents. Mosaddeq appeared as useful all-rounder. But they failed to maintain consistency in the knock out stage. Losing twice to ultimate winners Khulna they turned out the second best.

Gemcon Khulna on the other hand was by far the best team in the context of quality players. Shakib Al Hasan and Mahmudullah was their prime recruits. They also had Imrul Kayes, Anamul Haq, Zahurul Islam Omi. They also roped in Mashrafe when he appeared match after staying injured during the first part of the tournament. Shakib batted very poorly and did not produce any match winning performance with the ball. He had to miss the final for rushing back to USA to stay beside his in laws family at the time of demise of his father-in-law. 

Khulna did not perform to the best of their billing during early stage of the tournament. Shakib was well below his best. Yet they won most matches and a special Mashrafe solo saw them getting across favorite Chattogram in the first qualifier. In the final when they met again it required a special performance of another special player captain Mahmudullah Raid championing their cause. 

Chattogram winning the toss put Khulna to bat. It was expected that very well organized and consistently performing Chattogram attack under able marshaling of impressive Mohammad Mithun would restrict star studded Khulna batting. Off course they did. By the 7th over at 43/3 Khulna was not looking great. Captain Mahmudullah took charge and playing top quality innings of unbeaten 70 in 48 deliveries he stemmed the rot. His partnership of 40 with Ariful Haq (21) and 34 with Subhagato Hom (19) led Khulna to a competitive score of 155/7 in allotted overs. Mustafiz bowled tight but appeared not that penetrative as per his brilliant best. Shoriful (2/33) and Nahidul (2/19) were the prime bowlers.

It was not a score out of Chattogram’s reach given their inform openers and quality top order batting. But on the day Soumya Liton flamboyance did not last long. Soumya (12) failed delivering and Liton’s (23) stay was not long enough to cause the damage. Captain Mithun also failed. It was left to Shykat Ali (53) and Shamsur Rahman (23) keep the fight. Shykat almost brought the target within sight requiring 16 in the last over for a win. Before another find of the tournament Sohidul Islam getting 2 wickets including that of Shykat in the final over 10 runs were blasted. Still the difference remained 5 and Khulna won a thrilling encounter. They deserved it. Khulna had so many players – the horses for the long-distance race.  You can win few matches in a tournament with young quality budding players but you need champions to win tournament. Mashrafe and Mahmudullah as champions championed Khulna winning two key matches at crunch time.
 
Bangabandhu T20 Cup tournament apart from exposing several budding talents also provided wake up call to BCB think tank. Bangladeshi batsmen are not at all well-equipped against quality pace bowling on sporting wickets. This may prove decisive against all opposition in all formats in 2021 in international cricket. However, some new options can be smartly utilized in the limited over versions. Bowling of Mustafiz. Shoriful, Taskin, Rubel, Sohidul, consistent batting of Liton. Shanto, fearless approach of Emons, Naim are good signs. But young budding talents need maturing not rushing into big league prematurely.  

BCB must convene the team soon and organize some 4 day matches on good sporting wickets to prepare the team as much as possible for test cricket. Bangladesh is least prepared for that version. ODI and T20 Bangladesh can manage but in test they are still novice. 

BCB deserves a pat in the back for a good tournament. But they now have a huge task at hand preparing teams for a very challenging 2021. 

BDST: 1156 HRS, DEC 19, 2020
SMS