Gemcon Khulna all-rounder Ariful Haque struck as many as four sixes in last over to clinch a memorable win during their Bangabandhu T20 Cup opening match against Fortune Barishal at Mirpur’s Sher-e-Bangla national cricket stadium on Tuesday.
Chasing a moderate score of 153 runs, Khulna’s odds were low as they needed 22 runs in last over to win the match. But Ariful smashed four sixes against Barishal spinner Mehedi Hasan Miraz and sealed an outstanding win for the pre-tournament favourites.
The 28-year old Ariful was unbeaten on 48 off 34 deliveries with two fours and four sixes and was unsurprisingly adjudged man of the match for his heroic innings.
Khulna made a shaky start while chasing 153 as they lost both the openers Anamul Haque Nijoy (4) and Imrul Kayes (0) in the very first over bowled by Barishal pacer Taskin Ahmed.
Skipper Mahmudullah and number three batsman Shakib al Hasan formed a 28-run partnership in third wicket but losing Mahmudullah in fifth over deepened Khulna’s worry during chasing of 153.
Star all-rounder Shakib was under the spotlight as he made his return to the competitive cricket after completing his ban term.
Shakib was decent with the ball with one wicket form his three overs conceding 18 runs. With the bat he struck two good looking boundaries but got out at a crucial stage of chasing runs while trying to clear the boundary and get caught at deep square leg against Barishal pacer Sumon Khan in sixth over. Shakib’s innings ended on 15 from 13 balls with two fours.
Losing Mahmudullah and Shakib in back to back overs dented Khulna’s run chase slightly but late heroics from Ariful sealed a stunning win for Khulna in the end.
