Pakistan’s out-of-favour opener Ahmed Shehzad scored a brilliant 113 off 49 balls to lead the Barisal Burners to a remarkable eight-wicket win over favourites Duronto Rajshahi in the first semi-final of the Bangladesh Premier League.
Rajshahi, who had topped the points table at the end of the tournament’s preliminary stage and put up a challenging 184 for six in the last-four clash, were undone by a superb batting display by Shehzad, who struck 12 boundaries and six maximums in his whirlwind innings. He was provided good support by Brad Hodge, who hit 33 and shared a 103-run opening stand with him.
Mohammad Sami, who just a day earlier had starred with a five-wicket haul, had no answer to Shehzad’s strokeplay and finished wicket-less.
Earlier, Rajshahi had bounced back after having been reduced to three for three. Sean Ervine led the comeback with a 61-ball 82 as he shared a 110-run partnership with Mushfiqur Rahim (58).
Batsmen put Dhaka in final
Elsewhere, Dhaka Gladiators quashed the challenge put up by Khulna Royal Bengals to march into the final, beating their opponents by nine runs.
Dhaka scored 191 for six courtesy rapid knocks by Imran Nazir (41), Azhar Mahmood (65), Mohammad Ashraful (47*) and Shahid Afridi (27*).
In reply, the Bengals finished on 182 for seven. Captain Shakibal Hasan’s 41-ball 86 went in vain, while Dhaka’s Elias Sunny took three wickets.
Published in The Express Tribune, February 29th, 2012.
COMMENTS (6)
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ahmad shahzad is a good player.he is need of our national team.
These players Ahmad Shehzad, Nasir Jamshed, Fawad Alam all were given chance to play in national team. Once they produced good performance and results created problems for the team officials and their team mates.
Candidly speaking they are playing for money not for country. Once they will again given a chance to perform in national team their performance might be ZERO.
We need Ahmad Shehzad, Nasir Jamshed, Fawad Alam and Usman Salahuddin in ODI's and T20's...Younis and Misbah should continue playing only in Tests alongwith Taufiq and Azhar...and above mentioned batsmen should get a chance in shorter form of the cricket. In my opinion we should try make a team for world cup 2015...
We donot see that kind of performance from these Pakistani players when playing for the country? Either they are at their best when playing for money or that the quality of opposition was equally pathetic?
Always liked this guys batting.has a very good eye and very aggressive batting style.he reminds me of sachin tendulkar.I wonder what idiots run our selection comity who prefer Imran farhat like players over such talent.also like to se Imran nazir in t20 cricket.I also want to add that people should not criticize misbah over just one series defeat he is a good captain and his own performance is not bad.I think that series defeat was due to bad team selection and lack of professional coach.I well come the decision of PCB on Dave watmore he is a good coach and I am sure he will have a very positive effect on our side as he has asked some roll in selection as well.
BPL: Bangla Pak League :-)