Bangladesh High Performance (HP) Unit clinched a crucial victory against the Perth Scorchers on Saturday, keeping their semi-final aspirations alive in the ongoing Top End T20 series in Darwin, Austrlaia.
Despite losing three of their first five matches, a brilliant cameo from Mahfuzur Rahman Rabbi ensured HP's triumph, propelling Akbar Ali's team one step closer to the last four.
After losing the toss and being put in to bat in Darwin, the Perth Scorchers posted a total of 129 for five in their 20 overs. In response, HP chased down the target, albeit with some difficulty, losing seven wickets and reaching the target in 19.3 overs.
Bangladesh's chase got off to a shaky start. Tanjid Tamim was dismissed for just one run off five balls, breaking the opening partnership at four runs. Parvez Hossain Emon struggled to get off the mark, facing nine balls without scoring. Ariful Islam, batting at number four, managed only two runs off five deliveries before being dismissed.
HP found themselves in trouble at 15 for three, with the top order failing to deliver. However, Akbar Ali and Shamim Hossain steadied the ship with a crucial partnership of 39 runs for the fourth wicket. Shamim contributed 16 runs off 17 balls, while Akbar added 35 runs off 33 balls.
After Akbar's dismissal, Rabbi took charge, playing a match-winning unbeaten innings of 32 runs off just 13 balls. His brilliant cameo ensured HP's victory and kept their semi-final hopes alive. Earlier, Perth's innings was anchored by Tyago Willey's 56 and Baxter Holt's 34 runs. For HP, Ripon Mondal and Rakibul Hasan each took two wickets, while Abu Haider Rony chipped in with one.
