Shezaad’s all-round show guides Strikers to 83-run victory

Shezaad Akbar Sobhan starred with bat and ball as Bashundhara Strikers thrashed Dhaka Players Cricket Club (DPCC) by 83 runs in the Frost Blast T20 Corporate Cricket Season 3 on Friday at Anvir Cricket Stadium in the ABG Sports City.

Strikers skipper Shezaad was also named Player of the Match in recognition of his outstanding all-round performance.

Batting first, Strikers piled up 231-7 in 20 overs, riding on Shezaad’s brilliant 77. In reply, DPCC managed only 148-6 in their allotted 20 overs.

Having batted in the middle order in their previous three matches of the tournament, Shezaad opened the innings on Friday and made an immediate impact. He took the opposition bowlers on with a flurry of boundaries, scoring 77 off 52 balls, including 10 fours and three sixes.

After Strikers lost their first wicket for 27, the captain steadied the innings and laid the foundation for a formidable total. He departed with the score at 116.

Following his dismissal, Strikers lost Maeen (14), Lazim (5) and Shovon (11), putting the side under some pressure. However, Antu and Suman Ahmed provided a late surge with explosive batting.

Antu smashed 55 off just 19 balls, hitting three fours and six sixes, while Suman was even more destructive, remaining unbeaten on 43 off 12 deliveries, with four fours and four sixes. Tapas Ghosh added an unbeaten seven off two balls.

Mithun was DPCC’s leading bowler, taking three wickets for 34 runs. Rashed Alam, Jishan, Danish and Rocky claimed one wicket each.

DPCC made a promising start to their chase, with Mithun and Salman Azim adding 77 for the opening wicket. Mithun struck 50 off 30 balls, including eight fours and a six, while Salman contributed 39 off 37 deliveries, hitting five fours.

But the dismissal of the opening pair derailed the chase. Tanvir Ahmed made 21 off 24 balls, but the remaining batters failed to make meaningful contributions as DPCC finished on 148-6.

Shezaad capped his impressive display with a wicket, conceding 27 runs in his four overs. Suman was Bashundhara’s most successful bowler, taking two wickets for just five runs in one over.