DHAKA, – Youngster Afif Hossain struck a delightful 98 off 108 as Nazmul XI piled up a respectable 264-8 against Mahmudullah XI in the fourth match of the BCB President’s Cup at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium on Saturday.
Mushfiqur Rahim who hit a century in the previous match continued his good form with 52. Irfan Shukkur was the other notable scorer with 31 ball-44 not out, which helped the side propel past 250.
Afif and Mushfiqur shared 147-run for the fourth wicket stand after Nazmul XI who was sent to bat first was left to tittering 31-3.
But the stand was dominated by Afif who clattered a dozen of boundaries and one six. He played in aggressive manner to deny Mahmudullah XI bowlers taking advantage of initial batting collapse.
Mushfiqur Rahim took 16 balls to open his account and always looked bit shaky. Still he found some way to reach fifty off 88 balls.
Afif meanwhile approached to his century, but only denied after being trapped to run-out due to the misunderstanding between him and Mushfiqur Rahim.
Mushfiqur however couldn’t last long after the dismissal of Afif as he was dismissed by Ebadot Hossain for 52 off 92 with one just a single boundary.
The platform set by Mushfiqur and Afif was well utilized by Towhid Ridoy and Irfan Shukkur who added 70 runs.
Riody scored 27 before being dismissed by Ebadot but Shukkur showed his big hitting prowess at the death overs to keep Nazmul XI rolling.
Thanks to his hitting, which included four boundaries and two sixes, Nazmul XI set a daunting target for Mahmudullah XI.
Fast bowlers Rubel Hossain snapped up 3-53 while Ebadot Hossain grabbed 2-60.
Meanwhile ahead of the important match, Nazmul XI included Parvez Hossain Emon, Nasum Ahmed and Abu Jayed Rahi in the team, replacing Muqidul Islam Mugdho and Nayeem Hasan.
Mahmudullah XI also had two changes with Mahmudul Hasan and Rakib Hasan replacing Naim Shiekh and Aminul Islam Biplob.
Brief Score:
Nazmul XI 264-8 in 50 overs (Afif 98, Mushfiqur 52, Shukkur 44, Ridoy 27, Emon 19; Rubel 3-53, Ebadot 2-60, Sumon Khan 1-52)
