Fortune Barishal’s batsman Parvez Hossain Emon’s quick-fire 42-ball 100 earns his team a comprehensive 8-wicket victory against Minister Group Rajshahi in the Bangabandhu T20 Cup match at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur on Tuesday. With this knock, Emon now became the fastest T20 centurion of Bangladesh
It was a pivotal win for Barishal, as after conceding the highest total in the tourney of 220/7, they were on the verge of facing elimination. But then came Emon’s blazing knock and things turned around dramatically for them.
It was a high scoring encounter as both team scored 200 plus runs in their respective innings’. Chasing a staggering target of 221, Barishal won the match with ease. They won the match with 11 balls to spare. Thanks to batsman Parvez Hossain Emon, whose blistering ton made a stern task look easier for his team. Emon’s unbeaten 100-run innings was comprised of 9 boundaries and 7 maximums, with a stunning strike rate of 238.09.
This thrilling match saw another century as Rajshahi’s skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto played an equally outstanding knock. Earlier, Rajshahi scored 220/7 and it was all down to a terrific 55-ball 109 knock from Shanto. Rajshahi’s Anisul Islam Emon also played a quick-fire 39-ball 69.
In the end, Barishal’s Emon’s ton eclipsed Shanto’s ton as Rajshahi skipper ended up on the losing side. Shanto’s 109 included 4 boundaries and an incredible 11 maximums. It was also the first ton of the tourney. However, skipper’s innings went in vain in the end.
Chasing a stern total of 221, Barishal started really well. They lost Saif Hassan (27) during 4.1 overs. However, after that skipper Tamim Iqbal along with Emon had a 117-run partnership for the second wicket stand, which laid the foundation for their comprehensive victory. Tamim played 37-ball 53 before getting run out during 13.2 overs. Then Emon remained unbeaten and sailed his team’s ship towards victory. He made Rajshahi’s bowler look helpless and they were like a mere spectator in front of his onslaught batting. For Barishal, Saifuddin was the only bowler to grab a wicket.
Meanwhile, in the first innings, Barishal pacer Abu Jayed Rahi injured himself during his bowling run-up. The right-arm pacer was the best performer for Barishal with the bowl before injuring himself as he conceded just 11 off 2.1 overs. Then, amid all the onslaught batting from the Rajshahi batsmen, Barishal pacer Kamrul Islam Rabbi managed to scalp four wickets in the last over of the innings, which included a hat-trick as well.
Despite the win, Barishal are still bottom of the table with four points, but behind Rajshahi on net run-rate. Rajshahi, though, have played a game more.