ZCZC
BSP-19
CRICKET-BD-ZIM-1ST-T20-INNINGS
Soumya, Liton salvo powers Bangladesh to 200-3 in 1st T20
DHAKA, March 9, 2020 (BSS)-Soumya Sarkar and Liton came up with fire to
help Bangladesh rack up a mammoth 200-3 in the two-match T20 series opener
against Zimbabwe at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium.
Soumya smashed his career-best 32 ball-62 not out, clobbering 4 fours and
fives while Liton Das smoked 59 off 39 with five fours and three sixes as
Bangladesh posted their highest total against Zimbabwe, eclipsing 175-7 in
Chattogramm last year in a tri-nation tournament. This was also their third
best T20 total.
After he was being asked to bat first, Liton Das and Tamim Iqbal gave
Bangladesh a fluent start, sharing 92-run partnership, also the best opening
partnership in their shortest format of cricket history.
Tamim Iqbal, who was appointed as new ODI captain of Bangladesh, made a 33
ball-41, hitting three fours and two sixes before debutant Wesley Madhevere
dismissed him for his maiden T20 wicket.
Sikandar Raza then stalled Bangladesh’s progress, having removed Liton Das
after he brought up his third T20 fifty, forcing Bangladesh to loss two
openers in the space of 14 runs.
Mushfiqur Rahim though kept up the run flowing when Soumya made a slow
start. However, Chris Mpofu had Mushfiqur caught by Sean Williams after his
17 off eight deliveries, leaving Bangladesh 146-3 in 16th over.
After Mushfiqur’s departure, there was doubt whether Bangladesh could take
the score past 200 but Soumya’s blistering knocked quelled all the
apprehension.
He and skipper Mahmudullah Riyad took the Zimbabwe bowlers in disdain to
share 54 off just 25 for an unbroken fourth wicket stand to help Bangladesh
finally touch 200 runs mark.
Soumya in fact struck 19 runs of 20 in the last over including three sixes
to help Bangladesh’s cause and also brought up his only second T20 half-
century.
BSS/SMP/RY/20:22 hrs