Arifur stars as ULAB cruise past IUB

Arifur Rahman Asif delivered an all-round performance to guide the University of Liberal Arts Bangladesh (ULAB) to a 32-run victory over Independent University, Bangladesh (IUB) in the ABG University Cup on Thursday.

Batting first in the Group A match at Anvir Cricket Stadium, ULAB posted 157-9 in 20 overs before restricting IUB to 125-8. Arifur smashed 24 off 15 balls and claimed two wickets to earn Player of the Match honours.

Chasing 158, IUB lost wickets at regular intervals. Zubayer Al-Mahmud scored 16 off 15 balls, while Sourav Das made 19 off 19. Faez Siddiqui struck a brisk 23 off 12 deliveries, including two fours and two sixes, to keep IUB in contention.

With five overs remaining, IUB needed 66 runs with five wickets in hand. However, ULAB’s disciplined bowling denied them the chance to mount a comeback. Nasik Faiyaz made 21 off 24 balls and Naimul Hossain added 20 off 14, but IUB finished well short of the target.

Jannatul Naim was among ULAB’s most effective bowlers, taking two wickets for just six runs in two overs. Arifur also claimed two wickets, while Taif Mahmud Pial, Mahmudul Hasan Rakib and Zakirul Ahmed took one apiece.

Earlier, ULAB lost opener Farhan Jani for 14 off 10 balls before Shabab Jamil Ferdous and Zakirul Ahmed steadied the innings. Shabab top-scored with 45 off 34 deliveries, hitting six fours and a six, while Zakirul contributed 33 off 24 balls, including two fours and two sixes.

ULAB then lost three wickets for eight runs in the middle overs, putting their innings under pressure. However, Taif Mahmud Pial struck 15 off 10 balls before Arifur’s late contribution helped the side post a competitive total.

Arifur’s innings featured one four and two sixes.

For IUB, Ilias Hossain, Nasik Faiyaz and Shahriar Mujahid claimed two wickets each.

Banglanews24.com editor AKM Manjurul Haque presented Arifur with the Player of the Match award after watching the match at Anvir Cricket Stadium.

The victory maintained ULAB’s strong start to the tournament. They had opened their campaign with a commanding 152-run win over BRAC University.