Shamim powers hat-trick win for HP

Shamim Hossain Patowary's unbeaten half-century rescued Bangladesh High Performance (HP) from the jaws of defeat, vanquishing Victoria Academy (VA) XI by five wickets to seal a hat-trick of victories in the Top End T20 tournament at Marrara Oval.

The tourists cruised home with 16 balls to spare, reaching 132/5 in reply to Victoria's modest 131 all out.

But the comfortable margin masked a dramatic middle-overs collapse that threatened to derail Bangladesh HP's winning streak on Monday.

Invited to bat first, VA XI never found their rhythm against a disciplined Bangladesh HP attack.

Captain Sam Harper led a lone battle, crafting a defiant 49 off 36 deliveries studded with six boundaries and a maximum.

Will Sutherland provided brief resistance with a 25-ball 30, but once Harper departed in the final over, the tail crumbled spectacularly.

Md Rubel tore through the Victoria lineup with a devastating four-wicket haul. Spinner Rakibul Hasan provided stellar support, claiming three scalps, whilst Ripon Mondal and Abdul Gaffar Saklain chipped in with one wicket each.

The chase began disastrously for Bangladesh HP as their top order imploded in alarming fashion.

Habibur Rahman Sohan, Ariful Islam, Jishan Alam and Sabbir Rahman all fell cheaply, leaving the visitors reeling at 37/4 and staring down the barrel.

Enter captain Irfan Shukkur and the composed Shamim Hossain Patowary.

The pair stitched together a magnificent 83-run partnership to wrestle back control and silence the home supporters.

Shukkur hammered a vital 43 off 32 balls before holing out with just 12 runs required for victory.

But Shamim remained ice-cool under pressure, scoring unbeaten 51 off 33 deliveries, featuring three sixes and two fours.

Abdul Gaffar Saklain stayed unbeaten on six as Bangladesh HP sealed their third consecutive triumph in emphatic style.