Captain Anamul Haque鈥檚 maiden BPL hundred went in vain as Durbar Rajshahi fell short by just seven runs in their pursuit of 209 runs against Khulna Tigers at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium in Chattogram on Sunday.聽
Rajshahi were firm favourites in the highest successful chase of the season as they needed 25 runs from the last two overs with seven wickets remaining.聽
But Salman Irshad鈥檚 eight-run 19th over, including a wicket, swung things Khulna鈥檚 way. Then Hasan Mahmud gave away just nine runs with 17 to defend.聽
This was Khulna鈥檚 first win after losing four in a row. Their previous win came against Dhaka Capitals on January 3. They also moved to number four thanks to their better run rate (-0.179) than Rajshahi (-1.208).
Naim Sheikh (27 off 14) and Mehidy Hasan Miraz (26 off 13)鈥攚ho came to open the innings for the first time this season鈥攇ot a quickfire start as they added 42 runs in 3.4 overs.聽
However, Khulna lost three for 18 runs to make them 60-3 in the first six overs. But then a 71-ball 113-run partnership between Afif Hossain and William Bosisto for the fourth wicket lifted Khulna.
Both of them got fifties, with Afif getting out for 56 off 42 while Bosisto remained unbeaten on 55 off 37 balls.聽
Mahidul Islam Ankon then blazed four sixes in his 12-ball 30-run innings to get Khulna鈥檚 second 200-score of the season. They scored 35 runs off the last two overs.
In reply, Rajshahi got a similar start to Khulna as Jishan Alam hit 30 off 15 in the 47-run opening partnership in just four overs.聽
Both openers fell in the space of 13 deliveries, but Anamul showed Rajshahi the way. The captain led two vital partnerships for his team.聽
He first added 58 off 39 with Yasir Ali (20 off 17) and then 73 off 37 with Ryan Burl (21 off 16).聽
But with Anamul still at the crease, Rajshahi got hope to clinch a heist. But he couldn鈥檛, as his last ball single to get to his hundred remained as his only consolation.聽
鈥業鈥檓 sorry to my team; I tried my best,鈥� said Anamul after the loss.
