Helmet tactic pays dividends

The match had hogged the limelight for many reasons; especially the change of venues made many curious about what would happen at BKSP.

Despite rain threatening to spoil the party yesterday, a 28-over-a-side affair finally took place and there was no shortage of excitement in the curtailed-over battle between Abahani and Prime Doleshwar Sporting Club.

Prime Doleshwar's Nasir Hossain's 72-run knock, Shakib Al Hasan's immediate impact in Abahani's victory and Tamim Iqbal's aggression on the field provided enough entertainment apart from a controversial decision to refuse a run-out appeal.

However, in the end it was young Mosaddek Hossain who became the hero with an unbeaten 35-ball 57 and the batsman gave an interesting explanation about why he had taken off his helmet during the last over against pacer Forhad Reza, in which he went on to hit a four and six off the last two deliveries.

“I tried to apply a tactic and ultimately I was successful. My intention was to encourage the bowler [Forhad Reza] to bowl short balls. Reza bhai might have thought of bowling yorkers and at that time it would be difficult to hit them. That's why I pulled off my helmet, thinking that might encourage him to bowl bouncers,” said Mosaddek.

Abahani skipper Tamim was full of praise for Mosaddek.

“Rather than an early rush, he dug in deep and finished the match brilliantly. I think he showed lot of maturity,” said Tamim, who rued his team's below-par fielding performance, but was a relieved man after victory in the crucial match.