Blistering Mahadi helps Tamim XI go past 200

It looked like another bad day at the office for the batsmen, it actually was. Tamim XI managed to score 221 runs after playing out their quota of 50 overs. They did struggle to score runs and at some point were 8 down for 128 before all rounder Mahadi Hasan came in as the saviour.  

The all-rounder scored a brilliant 82 off 57 balls with 9 boundaries and 3 over boundaries. He, along with Taijul Islam made a partnership of 92 runs for the 9th wicket which put Tamim XI in some sort of fighting position. 

Mahadi ruins bowlers' party

Bowlers were once again having a good day, until Mahadi arrived. Al-Amin started the party with Tanzid Hasan Tamim's wicket who fell to his prey at mid on. He bowled out his quota of 10 overs and took 3 wickets for 44 runs. Other pacers, Taskin Ahmed and Mukidul Islam took a wicket each. 

Spinners were brilliant today. Especially Nayeem Hasan, he took two wickets, bowled four maiden overs as well. He took the important wicket of skipper Tamim Iqbal who was looking well set at 33 off 44 balls. Rishad Hossain, though did not finish his overs, took two important wickets of Shahadat Hossain Dipu and Mosaddek Hossain. 

At 128 for 8, Najmul XI would have hoped to restrict their opponent to lower than 150. But Mahadi had other plans. He took the responsibility on his shoulders and played a fine knock. He scored 82 off 57 balls, hitting 9-fours and 3-sixes. Two of those sixes came at 49th over where Mahadi chose Soumya to attack and scored 20 off that over. 

Taijul Islam supported him brilliantly. He remained not out on 20 off 43 balls. 

Bowlers had no answer to Mahadi's extraordinary batting, until the last over when Mukidul got him bowled. But the damage had been done. 

92 run 9th wicket partnership between Mahadi and Taijul

It all seemed to be falling apart for Tamim XI. They managed to score only 103 runs in their first game and lost by 5 wickets. They were again under the threat of being all out for less than 150 today. 

When Saifuddin got out, Tamim XI was 128 for 8. Taijul Islam came to the crease, played the supporting role as needed, remained not out at the end of the innings scoring 20 off 43 balls. And the rest was taken care of by Mahadi Hasan. 

Batsmen finding it hard to score, but there are runs in the wicket 

Apart from Mahadi, only Tamim Iqbal and Shahadat Hossain Dipu scored 30+ runs for Tamim XI. Mosaddek Hossain Saikat and Anamul Haque Bijoy apparently looked set, but got out for 12. No other batsmen reached the double digit mark. This has been the case in the ongoing President's Cup so far.

It may look as though the pitch has something to do with it. But apparently, that is not the case. There are runs on the pitch. Batsmen are just failing to make the best use of it by giving away their wickets rather cheaply. Mahadi Hasan showed today how it should be done and there can be big scores on this very pitch.