Bangladesh ‘A’ team suffered a 3-wicket defeat against the Melbourne Stars in the Top-End T20 tournament in Darwin on Thursday. This marks their third loss in five matches of the tournament. While they remain on paper in the semi-final race, Bangladesh’s chances are effectively over, as even a win in the next match would require other results to go in their favour.
Batting first after losing the toss in Darwin, Bangladesh ‘A’ managed 156 runs for the loss of 8 wickets in their allotted 20 overs. Saif Hassan top-scored with 45 runs. In response, Melbourne reached their target in 19.2 overs, losing 7 wickets in the process.
Bangladesh started well with the ball, taking 5 wickets inside the first 100 runs and took control of the match. However, a crucial sixth-wicket partnership of 65 runs between Jonathan Merlo and Christian Hoy changed the course of the game. Merlo scored a quick 61 off 38 balls, while Hoy remained unbeaten on 15.
Earlier, Jishan Alam, who had been in good form, failed to make an impact, managing just 13 runs off 13 balls. Opening partner Mohammad Naim Sheikh batted at a slower pace, continuing to attract criticism for his strike rate, scoring 19 off 21 deliveries.
Saif Hassan got off to a solid start in the top order but could not accelerate after settling at the crease. He finished with 45 runs off 35 balls. Middle-order batsman Afif Hossain failed to make an impact, earning a “golden duck” in this match.
Nurul Hasan Sohan also began well but could not increase the scoring rate as required by the match situation, scoring 33 runs off 27 balls. Promoted in the batting order, Rakibul Hasan managed only 4 runs.
Yasir Ali, who came in after Rakibul, played a brilliant cameo, compensating for the slow start at the crease. He scored 29 runs off just 17 balls, hitting 2 fours and 2 sixes before being dismissed.
LND/NE
………………
For 24/7 Breaking News :
📰 English News : www.libertynewsbd.com
📰 বাংলা সংবাদ : bangla.libertynewsbd.com
📰 Facebook : facebook.com/libertynewsbd
📰 Facebook (বাংলা) : facebook.com/libertynewsbangla
📰 X (Twitter) : x.com/libertynewsbd
📰 Instagram : instagram.com/libertynewsbd
📰 YouTube : youtube.com/@LibertyNewsBD
📰 YouTube : youtube.com/@LibertyNewsPlus
