After a lackluster performance in the first match, Tamim bounced back brilliantly in the second, delivering a stellar performance with the bat. His explosive innings, supported by spinners Hasan Murad and Nayeem Hasan, led the Chattogram Division team to their first victory in the second match of the NCL T20. The match, held yesterday at Sylhet Outer Stadium, saw Chattogram defeat hosts Sylhet Division by 12 runs.
Sylhet’s Towfiq Khan put up a fight but couldn’t see his team home, as his effort ended when Hasan Murad dived to take a spectacular catch at deep mid-wicket off Nayeem Hasan’s bowling. Towfiq’s dismissal eased the pressure on Chattogram, who then completed the task without much trouble.
The game, reduced to 15 overs due to fog, saw Chattogram post 145 runs for 9 wickets after a strong start. Sylhet, in response, were bowled out for 133 in 14.2 overs. This was Chattogram’s first win in two matches, while Sylhet suffered their second consecutive loss.
Returning to cricket after almost seven months, Tamim managed only 13 runs off 10 balls in the first match. However, he displayed his class in the second match with a blistering 65 runs off 33 balls, including eight fours and three sixes, earning him the Player of the Match award.
Chattogram’s innings had two distinct phases. They raced to 98 for 1 in the first eight overs but managed only 47 runs for 8 wickets in the remaining seven overs. Tamim and Mahmudul Hasan Joy gave Chattogram a strong start, adding 80 runs for the first wicket. Tamim’s innings included some scintillating strokes, including three fours in an over off Ebadot Hossain. Joy contributed 29 runs off 17 balls before falling in the seventh over.
Tamim reached his half-century with a flurry of boundaries but departed trying to hit another six. Following his dismissal, Chattogram’s innings lost momentum as no other batter, except Sabbir, reached double digits.
In Sylhet’s reply, the early loss of centurion Jisan Alam, Amit Hasan, and Asadullah Al Galib for ducks put them under pressure. Towfiq Khan tried to rescue the innings, adding 79 runs for the third wicket with Wasif Akbar. Towfiq scored a blistering 76 off 33 balls, reaching his fifty in just 19 balls—one of the fastest by a Bangladeshi batter in T20s. Despite his valiant effort, Sylhet faltered as Nayeem Hasan dismissed him in the 11th over, effectively sealing Chattogram’s victory.
For Chattogram, Nayeem Hasan and Hasan Murad took three wickets each, while Ahmed Sharif claimed two. This well-rounded performance ensured their first win in the tournament.
