Najmul hits first ton of BPL 2019, leads Khulna in record chase
Najmul Hossain Shanto hit his first T20 ton to help his team Khulna Tigers chase down a mammoth 205 runs target against Dhaka Platoon with eight wickets in hand.
With the win, Khulna ended the league phase of the ongoing Bangabandhu Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) staying at the top of table, reports UNB.
It was the first instance of chasing down a target of more than 200 in the history of BPL. Hitting his first T20 ton, also the first century in the current edition of BPL, Shanto became only the fifth Bangladeshi after Mohammad Ashraful, Shahriar Nafees, Sabbir Rahman and Tamim Iqbal to score century in T20.
Replying to Platoon’s 205 for four in 20 overs, Khulna Tigers ended on 207 for two in 18.1 overs as Shanto remained unbeaten 115 off 57 balls with eight 4's and seven 6's.
Mehidy Hasan Miraz and Shanto continued to impress as the opening partners as they posted 70 runs on Saturday evening. Mehidy fell for 45 off 25 balls with seven 4's and one 6.
Tournament's top scorer so far, Rilee Rossouw scored 23 off 17 this time before falling prey to Shadab Khan. After losing two wickets, Shanto and Mushfiqur Rahim, the second highest run getter this year, added 56 runs.
Before hitting this ton, Najmul had scored 115 runs in his previous eight games. The left-hander was impressive during his age-level cricketing days. But he failed to continue on a good run for the national side. This innings might help him to discover his new version.
Shadab Khan and Mehedi Hasan bagged one wicket each.
Earlier, Khulna Tigers won the toss and sent Platoon to bat first, who lost Tamim Iqbal only for one. Tamim fell prey to Robbie Frylinck. Within 35 runs, Platoon lost two more wickets.
Despite having starts, Anamul Haque Bijoy and Jaker Ali failed to play big innings. While Anamul was removed by Frylinck for 10 off 10, Jaker was dismissed by Shafiul Islam.
Coming to the fourth wicket stand, Mominul Haque and Mehedi Hasan added 153 runs. Mominul was close to hitting his first T20 ton but fell short of nine runs. He ended on 91 off 59, his best T20 innings, with seven fours and four sixes while Mehedi was not-out for 68 off 36 with three 4's and five 6's.
Platoon ended on 205 for four wickets in 20 overs as Robbie Frylinck bagged two wickets conceding 35 runs in four overs while Mohammad Amir and Shafiul Islam took one wicket each.
While Khulna Tigers ended league-phase as the number one team, Platoon ended as the fourth, and Rajshahi Royals and Chattogram Challengers ended as second and third respectively.