Ariful Haque struck a brilliant 48 off 34 which helped Gemcon Khulna to chase 22 runs in the last over to pull off a 4 wickets victory over Fortune Barishal in the second match of the Bangabandhu T20 Cup at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium this evening.

After winning the toss Gemcon Khulna's skipper Mahmudullah Riyad sent Fortune Barishal to bat. They post a moderate 152/9, Under 19 World Cup-winning member Parvez Hossain Emon 51 off 42 was the highest run scorer for the side. 

Chasing the target Khulna lost their openers in the 4th and 5th ball of the innings. Then Shakib Al Hasan and skipper Mahmudullah Riyad tried to rebuild innings but Mahmudullah 17 off 16 dismissed to Mehidy Hasan Miraz while tring to hit six. Shakib 15 off 13 also follwed him and Khulna lost their first 4 wickets to 36.

From here, Jahurul Islam 31 off 26 and Ariful Haque rebuild innings for the side.  Jahurul Islam dismissed to pacer Kamrul Islam Rabbi when he came down the track for the heave, doesn't get to the pitch of the ball and edges to the keeper and Khulna lost their 5th wicket to 78. 

Ariful Haque and Shamim Hossain added 44 runs in the 6th wickets stand which paved the way to win the match. When Shamim 26 off 18 went out to Sumon Khan Khulna needed another 30 runs in the last 16 balls. In the last over they needed 22 runs. Ariful hit 4 sixes in the last over of Miraz and his team Khulna won the match keeping one ball and four wickets in hand.

Earlier, Shahidul Islam claimed 4-17 in a gem of pace bowling as Fortune Barishal was restricted to a moderate 152-9 in their first match against Gemcon Khulna in the Bangabandhu T20 Cup at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium on Tuesday.

Shahidul indeed took the spotlight on him on a day when Shakib Al Hasan returned to cricket. The ace all-rounder bowled three overs for Khulna and didn’t fare badly. He conceded 18 runs to take one wicket after coming to bowl in a competitive match after more than one year.

Being sent to bat first, Fortune Barishal received a setback early in the innings as their experiment with Mehidy Hasan Miraz as opener didn’t bring any good result after he was dismissed for naught.

Skipper Tamim Iqbal also was out with run-a-ball-15 after which young Parvez Hossain Emon took the onus. Emon was the highest scorer for the side with 42 ball-51 that included three fours and four sixes.

Towhid Ridoy made 25 ball-27 to accompany Emon, but the dismissal of the duo slowed down Barishal innings.

Wicket-keeper batsman Mohidul Islam Ankan however hammered 10 ball-21 to help the side propel past 150 runs mark.

Apart from Shahidul’s four, Shafiul Islam and Hasan Mahmud took two wickets apiece.