Tamim, Mahmudullah shine as Dhaka end Comilla’s unbeaten run
Thanks to explosive knocks from skipper Mahmudullah Riyad and Tamim Iqbal, Minister Group Dhaka were able to register a thumping 50-run victory as they ended Imrul Kayes-led Comilla Victorians' unbeaten run in the ongoing edition of the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) today.
Before today's defeat, Comilla had won all three played in the tournament.
After in-form Tamim smashed a 35-ball 46, it was Mahmudullah's unbeaten 70 off just 41 deliveries -- his career-best score in T20s -- that powered Dhaka to a commendable 181 for six in the day game at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium in Chattogram today.
Today's explosive knock saw Mahmudullah reach two other milestones as well. He became only the third Bangladeshi batter after Tamim Iqbal (6741 runs in 235 T20s) and Shakib Al Hasan (5661 runs in 356 T20s) to score five thousand runs in the format. Mahmudullah has now scored 5045 runs in 273 T20s at an average of 25.47. He also became only the third Bangladeshi batter after Tamim and Mushfiqur Rahim to score above two thousand runs in BPL. Mahmudullah sits third in the most run-getters' list in BPL with 2014 runs in 88 BPL matches.
And despite promising knocks from Mahmudul Hasan Joy and Imrul, Comilla suffered a batting collapse in the middle and were eventually bundled out for just 131 in 17.3 overs.
After being sent to bat, Tamim, despite losing his opening partner Mohammad Shahzad early, was able to give Dhaka a decent start. The left-handed opener, who smashed a scintillating hundred in his previous game against Sylhet Sunrisers, looked to be in exquisite touch during his boundary-laden knock.
Tamim, who laced his innings with two fours and three maximums, did everything right and was looking ominous till he mistimed one straight to short midwicket in the 11th over.
After Tamim laid the groundwork, Mahmudullah capitalised with a magnificent quick-fire knock at the end. The Dhaka skipper stayed till the end, smashing a total of three boundaries and four sixes, to help his side pile up a commendable total.
Chasing a big total, Comilla lost two early wickets before Joy and Imrul consolidated through a 70-run third-wicket stand.
Joy, who smashed Shuvagata Hom for four consecutive boundaries in the sixth over, was the most impressive one. But both Imrul and Joy were removed by Andre Russell in the same over, both batters dragging the ball onto their stumps.
Since then, Comilla could never bounce back, losing wickets at regular intervals as they eventually fell short on the day.
With the ball in hand, Russell impressed for Dhaka with his figures for three for 17 in 2.3 overs.
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