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CRICKET-DPL T20-PREVIEW
Sheikh Jamal, Doleshwar battle to reach zenith in DPL T20
DHAKA, March 3, 2019 (BSS)-Shikeh Jamal Dhanmondi Club takes on Prime Doleshwar Sporting Club in the final of the Dhaka Premier League (DPL) T20 on Monday to clinch the trophy of the tournament, dubbed as the stepping stone of making the pipeline of local T20 players stronger.
While Sheikh Jamal showed an outright power to move to the final, Doleshwar had fair share of luck to seal the spot here.
After beating Khelaghar Samaj Kallayan Samity and Uttara Sporting Club quite comfortably in the group phase, Jamal faced off more powerful team-Shinepukur Cricket Club in the first semifinal. But they overhauled Shinepukur’s 181-7 pretty comfortably that they showed their depth in the team. Hard-hitter batsman Ziaur Rahman was specially in form, smashing a 29 ball-72 not out that helped Jamal gun down the Shinepukur’s total with 14 balls to spare.
Doleshwar tied a low-scoring affair against BKSP in the first match. Because of the tie, the match went to super over in which BKSP held its never to prevail the game. However Doleshwar came back in winning-way by narrowly edging Gazi Group Cricketers past by three wickets and sealed the last-four spot with better run-rate. They locked horn Prime Bank Cricket Club in the semifinal and were in cornered state before captain Farhad Reza blasted 8 balls-24 not out to sail them through to the final.
Considering the form and depth of the team, Sheikh Jamal looked more favourite than the Doleshwar but its captain Nurul Hasan said that they need to deliver when it matters most. “In T20 cricket, there is nothing like big team or small team. You have to perform on given day and that matters the most,” Hasan said today at Academy ground of Mirpur Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium.
“The tournament has been competitive and all team is equal as far as the strength is concerned. But it’s right that the balance of our team is very good. The matter is to perform according to the situation. Hopefully we can show our mettle.”
The tournament is considered as the build-up for the Dhaka Premier League 50-over format, alongside helping the local players to get more exposure in T20 format.
Hasan said the wicket was really good for batting which helped the batsmen flourish at a moment when there was enormous criticism that the local batsmen are not the good hitters of the ball.
“In the semifinal game we lost top order very early in the chase of a big total. Ziaur Rahman came up and played shots at his will. His innings and snatching victory from the jaws of defeat boosted our morale. His innings also showed that our players can play big shots in this format,” Hasan revealed.
Prime Doleshwar captain Farhad Reza accepted the fact that the team depth of the Sheikh Jamal was superb but refused to give up the hopes.
“You never know what would happen at this shortest version of the cricket. Every team has the chance and it is the matter to grab the chance with both hands.”
But Reza knew he would have to take the onus if he wants a trophy for the side. Reza has been in good form with both batting and bowling since the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) T20 tournament. Even in the last semifinal he claimed his career best 5-32 before helping the side overcome Prime Bank’s big total with a whirlwind innings.
Knowing that all effort would go in vain if he can’t deliver in the final match, he said, “I will try to keep up the consistency and hopefully I would deliver for the side when it matters most.”
BSS/SMP/AU/17:30 hrs