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Chattogram, Khulna battle to take pole position in Bangabandhu T20 Cup
DHAKA, Dec 7, 2020 (BSS)—Both Gazi Group Chattogram and Gemcon Khulna are keen to take the top spot of the Bangabandhu T20 Cup solely when they will take on each other in a game at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium.
The battle between the two top sides of the tournament starts at 6.30 PM.
Both the sides currently have eight points but Chattogram is in the top position due to better run rate. Chattogram also played one match less than Khulna six matches.
However, who wins the game will not only absolutely confirm the playoffs but also will be in advantageous position to sit in top two positions. Staying at top two position means, they will get two shots for securing the final berth.
In the first-leg match between the two teams, Chattogram dismissed star-studded Khulna for just 86 and then sealed the deal with nine wickets.
Chattogram in fact was unbeaten for first four matches before Beximco Dhaka ended their winning-streak with a 7-run victory.
In fact in the last two matches, Chattogram could not show the dominating cricket, which made them strongest side in the tournament.
“Till now we are playing good cricket,” Chattogram captain Mohammad Mithun said, differing the fact that his side’s form has dipped of late.
“Yes, we have been beaten in the last match but it may happen. You can’t win every match in T20 cricket. However we are looking for the next game. Hopefully the guys will comeback strongly,” he remarked.
Khulna on the other hand couldn’t show their full mettle despite being the tournament favourite. The main problem is that their star all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan is yet to be back in form after returning to cricket following his ICC-imposed ban.
Shakib though bowled economically, he is yet to come close to the standard set by himself. In batting, he remains clueless still by making 59 runs in six games so far.
Khulna’s another senior player captain Mahmudullah Riyad also couldn’t justify his name as of now. But he played a match winning innings in the last game against Minister Group Rajshahi.
Despite their stalwarts’ indifferent form, Khulna wins four matches, including a three-match winning streak, which is a proof of their depth in both batting and bowling line-up.
To bolster their strength further, they roped in Mashrafe after winning the race to pick him up through lottery. Mashrafe is all set to play tomorrow’s high-voltage game, though it is not sure, how he will respond after returning to cricket following a Covid-19 forced hiatus. But Mashrafe’s experience definitely will be key.
“After Mashrafe’s inclusion we hope that our strength will be increased,” said Khulna’s operations manager Imran Khan.
“We want to be in the top two positions after the group phase game. So we are expecting Mashrafe’s experience will be key in this regard. I think we are lucky to have Mashrafe in the team,” he added.
BSS/SMP/ARS/1918 hrs