Rajshahi on the brink; Dhaka aim to qualify

Following the exciting play on the opening day of the Bangabandhu T20 Cup, the tournament seemed to slowed down due to the lack of competitive cricket and low scoring affairs at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur.

Many pointed to the slowness of the Mirpur surface as one of the reasons for low-scoring encounters. The average first-innings total after the first half of the tournament was around 140 and teams twice being bundled out below 100 runs raised concerns over a lack of competitiveness.

But Tuesday's high scoring encounter between Minister Rajshahi and Fortune Barishal changed the scenario after both sides displayed an exciting brand of cricket.

Rajshahi posted 220 for seven courtesy of Najmul Hossain's century but Barishal went on to complete the highest successful chase in T20s in Mirpur after a sublime century from young Parvez Hossain.

All of a sudden, the tournament got its excitement back and it seemed clearer that quality of cricket mostly relies on the players' approach and attitude rather than the nature of the pitch.

After their second win of the tournament against Rajshahi, Tamim Iqbal's Barishal remain bottom of the points table but still have hopes alive to qualify by making the top four. They today face table-toppers Gazi Group Chattogram, who have qualified for the top four with five wins from six games.

On the other hand, Rajshahi have four points from seven games. Najmul's side will be desperate to win their last game but even that would not confirm a top-four spot as they have to wait on results of other games. Beximco Dhaka, with three wins from six games, will be looking to seal a place in the top four today when they take on the star-studded Gemcon Khulna, who are in second place with four wins from seven matches.

Meanwhile, chief selector Minhajul Abedin said that they had already started to chalk out plans for the upcoming West Indies series in January, when the visitors are expected to take part in a two-Test and three-match ODI series.

"We have almost finalised the 20-member Test and ODI side for the upcoming West Indies series. You need to realise that it was important for us to start competitive cricket first in this pandemic situation. So this Bangabandhu T20 Cup will certainly help them return to the groove before we start the national camp on December 25. We are glad to see youngsters performing well with the seniors and it will help them in the future," Minhajul told The Daily Star.

There was some bad news as pacer Abu Jayed, who is a vital member of the Tigers' Test squad, was ruled out for at least 15 days after tearing a muscle while running in to bowl during Tuesday's game for Barishal.