Barishal’s playoffs hope gets setback after defeat against Chattogram

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DHAKA, Dec 10, 2020 (BSS)—Fortune Barishal’s playoffs hope got a setback as they tasted a seven-wicket defeat to a weakened Gazi Group Chattogram in Bangabandhu T20 Cup at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium on Thursday.

A win could lift Barishal from the bottom place and also brighten their chance to seal the playoffs. But they couldn’t win against a Chattogram side, who fielded a team without four key players, in a bid to test their bench strength.

Barishal’s defeat however gave Minister Group Rajshahi a boost up to reach the playoffs phase but they would have to win their match against Chattogram on Saturday.

Barishal earlier two days ago crushed Rajshahi effortlessly, overhauling Rajshahi’s staggering 220-7 but that spirit was nowhere seen in the crucial match against Chattogram today.

Chattogram meanwhile amassed 12 points from seven games following the victory and made it sure that no one could oust them from the top position after the group phase.

However despite a flying start, Fortune Barishal was restricted to 149-6, a total that Chattogram effortlessly overhauled with eight balls to spare.

Opener Soumya Sarkar led the victory, with a scintillating 37 ball-62 that included seven fours and three sixes.

Soumya and his fellow opener Shykat Ali shared a 79-run partnership in 9.3 overs to ease the match. Shykat Ali made 39 off 33 with six fours and one six before being out as the first batsman.

After adding more 40 runs with Mahmudul Hasan Joy, Soumya was removed by pacer Sumon Khan.

Joy however sailed the side home with 31 not out, hitting three fours, last of which confirmed the victory.

After being sent to bat first, Barishal got a good start from the openers Tamim Iqbal and Saif Hasan.

Despite struggling to make a mark and surviving several times, Tamim alongside Saif helped the side amass 87 runs for opening stand in just 10.5 overs.

After this kind of start, they were aiming to take the score close to 200 at least but that was not to be.

The rot began with the dismissal of Saif Hasan after the opener struck 46 off 33 with six fours and two sixes.

Shortly after his departure, Tamim Iqbal was also removed for 43 off 39 with five fours.

Mosaddek Hossain Saikat got rid of these two openers after which Sanjit Saha and Ziaur Rahman appeared in the stage.

Sanjit and Zaiur stifled the Barishal innings and also caused a middle order havoc from which they couldn’t recover.

Afif Hossain however with 28 not out off 16 deliveries helped the side closer to 150 runs mark.

Sanjit, Mosaddek and Ziaur Rahman took two wickets apiece for Chattogram

Brief Score:

Fortune Barishal 149-6 in 20 overs (Saif Hasan 46, Tamim Iqbal 43, Afif Hossain 28 not out; Mosaddek 2-16, Sanjit Saha 2-22, Ziaur Rahman 2-25)

Gazi Group Chattogram 153-3 in 18.4 overs (Soumya Sarkar 62, Shykat Ali 39, Mahmudul Hasan Joy 31 not out; Sumon Khan 2-30, Mehidy Hasan Miraz 1-32)

Result: Gazi Group Chattogram wins by 7 wickets.